Johannesburg, November 25, 2024 – South Africa’s murder rate has dropped by 5.8% in the second quarter of the 2024 financial year, according to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. The decrease, announced on Monday, is part of a broader trend of declining violent crime in the country, although certain areas remain concerning.
The quarterly crime statistics for the period from July to September revealed a decrease in sexual offenses by 2.5%, and robbery with aggravating circumstances dropped by 8.8%. Rape incidents also saw a 3.1% decline, while robberies at residential and non-residential premises fell by 1.3% and 21.1%, respectively.
However, Mchunu pointed out increases in other crime categories. Attempted murder rose by 2.2%, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) increased by 1%, and commercial crime spiked by 18.5%.
“Despite these gains, the persistence of high crime rates underscores the urgency of doubling our efforts in law enforcement, prevention, and community involvement,” Mchunu said. He emphasized that organized crime and economic crimes such as extortion and attacks on critical infrastructure remain significant challenges.
In a positive development, police in Mpumalanga arrested 95 Libyan nationals for immigration violations and suspected involvement in illegal military training. The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority played a key role in the investigation, which is still ongoing.
Gauteng also saw notable progress with the discovery of mandrax and drug manufacturing equipment worth R2.6 million, as well as the arrest of six individuals linked to a high-profile kidnapping. Additionally, authorities confiscated R300 million worth of crystal meth in a major drug bust.
Mchunu highlighted the success of police efforts in KwaZulu-Natal, where a crackdown on armed gangs and murder hotspots resulted in significant progress. Meanwhile, the Free State faced an uptick in crimes such as stock theft, originating from KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and Gauteng.
The justice system also recorded positive outcomes, with 265 life sentences handed down for serious crimes, including murder and rape. The Hawks, South Africa’s elite investigative unit, arrested 818 individuals and secured 301 convictions for a range of offenses, including drug trafficking and cash-in-transit heists.
On the issue of state capture, Mchunu confirmed the arrest of 27 individuals and eight companies, with three cases finalized, one resulting in a 15-year fraud sentence.
“While there is still much work to be done, the police force is making commendable strides through strategic operations and enhanced policing tactics,” Mchunu concluded.