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The Limpopo crime statistics for the 3rd quarter of 2022/2023 indicate a predicted increase under the leadership of Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.

During this quarter, 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022, there were 12 297 contact crimes reported in Limpopo, 1724 more than the corresponding months in 2021, and for the 3rd quarter, 136 members of our communities fell victim to violent crimes daily. There were 1396 sexual offences reported in Limpopo; 1198 of these were incidents of rape, a year-on-year increase of 20.6%.

Behind these statistics are the faces of 13 women and children who report their rape cases to the SAPS every day.

Although there was a 27% decrease in murders, our communities are becoming increasingly unsafe; robberies at residential premises, carjacking and contact crimes showed a year-on-year increase of 30.2%, 5% and 16.3% respectively.

Thohoyandou remains the rape capital of the province, ranked 4th nationally and first provincially, and showed an increase of 20.7% in reported rapes during the 3rd quarter.

Despite all the telltale signs in the crime statistics over the last 2 years, lack of leadership and underfunding persist.

Contact crimes have been increasing every quarter under the watch of Limpopo police commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thembi Hadebe.

It is clear that Hadebe is not capable of bringing the scourge of crime under control, and while she is at the helm, communities will continue to live in fear.

We reiterate our call for Hadebe to resign. Our communities have a right to feel safe and protected.

Issued by Katlego Suzan Phala MPL - DA Provincial Spokesperson on Transport and Community Safety