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The 2018/2019 crime statistics released today show a drastic increase in serious crimes at Polokwane, Seshego, Mankweng and Thohoyandou police stations respectively, and in Limpopo Province as a whole.

According to the crime statistics, Limpopo saw an increase from 2017/18 to 2018/19 in the following crimes:

• Rape increased from 3301 cases to 3501 cases (6.1%)
• murders increased from 911 cases to 914 cases (0.3%)
• common robbery from 2839 cases to 2908 cases (2.4%)
• Stock theft from 2187 to 2396 cases (9.6%)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 5684 cases to 6557 cases (15.4%)
• Shoplifting from 3259 to 3455 cases (6.0%)

This high number of rapes in the province means that about 10 women are raped everyday in the province. This is an unacceptably high number considering that Sexual offences such as rape also have a very low report rate.

Polokwane Police station has recorded a massive 21.7% increase in sexual offences, from 46 in 2017/18 to 56 in 2018/19, a 23.6% increase in common robbery (144 cases to 178 cases), 87.5 % increase in carjacking (8 cases to 15 cases) and 400% increase in arson (1 case to 5 cases).

Mankweng had a 21.1 % increase (38 to 46 ) in murder cases, 23.1% increase (26 to 32) in attempted murder cases, 5.6% increase in sexual offences (196 to 207) as well as  39.4%  (9 to 15) and  76%  (25 to 44) increases in shop lifting and theft of motor vehicles respectively.

Thohoyandou has also performed poorly with a 6.3% (48 to 51) increase in murders, 18.8% (250 to 297) increase in sexual offences and 31.8% (22 to 29) increase in stock theft. Seshego saw an increase of 33.3% (27 to 36) and 85.7% (7 to 13) in attempted murder and sexual offences respectively and a spike of 56.5% (46 to 72) in stock theft.

These shocking statistics prove that citizens are not and do not feel safe in their homes as well as on the streets due to ANC’s failure to ensure their safety. These statistics also explain the public’s loss of faith and confidence in the SAPS.

The high number of sexual offences in Limpopo is also worrying considering the shortage of rape kits and the lack of sensitivity and training in the police service to deal with victims of sexual crimes. The fact that there are only 6 social crime prevention programmes and 73 Victim Empowerment centres and shelters in the province shows that the ANC has failed to offer support in fighting sexual offences .

The increase in various serious crimes is a result of police stations in Limpopo that are extremely under-resourced, under-staffed, under-trained and under-equipped. The increase in crimes such as stock theft, shoplifting and common robbery also show signs of citizens being forced to steal for their survival due to the ANC’s failure to create employment and enable economic growth.

The DA will conduct oversight inspections at these police stations in the coming weeks in order to determine the nature of the challenges that these police stations might be facing on a daily basis that have affected their performance.

Only the DA has an alternative that will ensure the safety of the people of Limpopo, is committed to transforming the SAPS and ensuring a police service that is well trained, honest and professional that serves and protects South Africans.

Issued by The DA