| 2025/06/10 |
Media Statement KIMBERLEY – Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul together with the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms Limakatso Koloi, and the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola released the crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024/2025 at the office of the Premier in Kimberley on 10 June 2025. Lieutenant General Otola was accompanied by her Deputy Provincial Commissioners, Provincial Heads and Senior Station Commanders. The proceedings commenced with a brief overview of the crime situation by Lieutenant General Otola, followed by a presentation by the Provincial Crime Registrar, Brigadier Samuel Mathe of the crime statistics for the period January 2025 to March 2025. In her remarks, Lieutenant General Koliswa cited that the crime statistics indicates all the 17 community reported crimes as well as the crimes detected as results of police action, whether increased or decreased. More joint efforts are needed to deal with the crime holistically. She commended the Northern Cape communities for not taking the law into their own hands and for allowing the justice and security cluster to execute their mandates of investigation and prosecution. Three Districts reflected decreases on the 17 community reported crimes for the fourth quarter of this financial year. ZF Mgcawu district reflected a decrease of -3.6% Pixley Ka Seme district reflected a decrease of -1.4% while the Namakwa district reflected a decrease of -5.3%. Frances Baard district being the highest reporting district with regards to the reported 17 community crimes reflected an increase of 3.0% and John Taolo Gaetsewe district reflected an increase of 1.5%. For the fourth quarter, murder increased with 21 reported cases compared to the previous year from [91] to [112 cases].The majority of victims were males [87] and females [17] and sadly 8 cases involved children being the victim. The top 30 murder stations include 7 stations in Frances Baard district, 7 stations in Pixley Ka Seme district, 7 stations in ZF Mgcawu district, 6 stations in JTG district and 3 stations in Namakwa district. Frances Baard district recorded the highest reported incidents of murder with [31 cases] and remains constant compared to the previous year. ZF Mgcawu district had [28 reported cases] compared to a total of [18 cases] the previous year with an increase of (10 cases). Pixley Ka Seme district with 20 reported murder cases and reflected an increase of [5 cases] compared to the previous year. JT Gaetsewe district had [25 reported cases] and reflected an increase of [7 cases]. Namakwa district had [8 reported cases] and reflected a decrease of [-1 count lower]. The main causes of murder can be attributed to arguments, misunderstanding or provocation. Rape reflected an increase of 1.7% [5 cases] for the reporting period with 302 cases compared to the 297 cases reported in the previous year. There were 2 reported incidents of rapes at educational premises for this quarter. Attempted murder decreased with 1.5% [-8 cases], Assault GBH increased with 4.2% [82 cases] and Common Assault increased with 1.4% [21] cases. A total of 415 cases of aggravating robberies were reported which indicated a decrease of -5.5% [-24 cases]. Aggravating robberies such as carjacking remained at constant with [12 cases], while robbery at residential premises decreased with [-2 counts], and robbery at non-residential premises increased with [2 counts] from [47 counts] to [49 counts]. These robberies mostly occurred at spaza/tuckshops. Contact related crimes reflected an overall decrease -0.5% [-5 cases]. Arson decreased with [-13 cases] and Malicious damage to property increased with 0.9% [8 cases]. Institutions where non-ferrous theft mostly occurs at Transnet, Eskom and Telkom sites or locations. The majority of these thefts of or damage to essential infra structure occur on either Wednesday or Thursdays. SAPS prioritised the damage to essential infrastructure and theft of copper cables and established tasks teams in the districts to deal with this type of crime, which is bearing good successes. The multi-disciplinary illicit mining operation "Vala Umgodi" by SAPS, SANDF and DHA remains intentional and focused in squeezing the operational space of criminals in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts, with ongoing successes being delivered during operations. The objective of the operation is to dismantle the complex network of illegal mining by targeting its instruments and confiscating equipment used in illicit mining activities. Lieutenant General Otola emphasised the importance of reporting incidents of extortion to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators apprehended. In conclusion to the presentation, Lieutenant General Otola commended detectives for securing convictions and hefty imprisonment sentences, including several life sentences. MEC Koloi commended the SAPS for their efforts towards fighting crime. “Men and women in blue must serve without fear or favour”, said Koloi. She expressed her sentiments that crime is a societal matter that impacts all citizens. The main focus is on the prevention of Gender Based Violence and Femicide related crimes as well as the role that alcohol abuse plays as a major contributor. Northern Cape Premier, Dr Saul stated that the crime statistics indicate where we need to improve to ensure that we serve and protect the people of the Northern Cape. He reiterated that the spotlight is once again on Gender Based Violence. The increase of rape, sexual offences and contact sexual offences is concerning. He urged SAPS, especially specialised units such as Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units to intensify their work at ensuring that perpetrators of crimes committed against women and children are arrested and that these cases are successfully prosecuted. Murder cases in the Province have increased, predominantly driven by disputes, and once again knives remain the prevalent weapon. “We are of the firm view that proactive crime prevention methods lay a solid foundation in the fight against crime. Active community involvement in the fight against crime is important”, stated Saul. In support of the comments made by the Provincial Commissioner, Dr Saul affirmed that kidnapping and extortion have emerged and preventive strategies against these emerging trends must be formulated. Wrapping up, Dr Saul pledged the total commitment and full cooperation of Provincial Government to bring about safer communities. Collaborations with all departments and stakeholders in fighting the scourge of crime in our province will be beneficial to creating a safe and secure environment for all the inhabitants of the Northern Cape province. The programme concluded with the handing over of new vehicles to the Provincial Traffic Department in order to increase visibility on our roads and enforce traffic laws and regulations. After concluding the Release of the Crime Statistics, the Provincial Commissioner joined the Premier and the MEC at the official handing over of the vehicles to Traffic Chiefs from across the province. Ends
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