Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
18 February 2024 | 14:37 CAT

Police have released crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2023-2024 financial period. File photo. Image: GARETH WILSON

In just three months, more than 7,700 people were murdered across South Africa.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said, during the release of the third quarter crime statistics on Friday, that between October and December last year, 7,710 people were murdered – an increase of 155 from the same period in the previous year.

The five police precincts with the most recorded murders during the third quarter were Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal and Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.

“As we unpack the third quarter crime statistics, for the past two consecutive terms, we had noted a reduction in the number of murders reported,” said Cele.

Radio Islam International discussed the third quarter crime stats with Dr Simon Howell.

Dr Howell noted the reduction was statistically not relevant and was very small.

“There is not much to be upbeat about the stats at all. 7710 is still appalling and extremely high and may fluctuate over time but remains to be a considerable problem in the country,” Dr Howell says.

Four hundred thirty-one murders had been linked to vigilantism and mob justice attacks. Of these, 84 occurred in Gauteng, 80 in the Eastern Cape and 78 in KwaZulu-Natal.

There had also been six mass shootings during the three months.

The minister said that 22 police officers had been killed between October and December. Ten of them had been on duty at the time.

A total of 13‚090 sexual offences were reported‚ down from 13‚283 during the same period in 2022.

In the sexual offences category‚ rape declined by 0.7% and sexual assault by 2.5%. There were 10‚516 rape cases reported‚ down by 74 from the same period last year.

Contact sexual offences saw the biggest decrease‚ dropping by 35.9%. The only offence to increase in this category was attempted sexual offence‚ which went up by 4.1%.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.