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South Africa Witnesses Decline in Key Crime Categories, Says SAPS Report

Published November 27, 2024
2 months ago

In a recent revelation that could be seen as a beacon of hope for many South Africans, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has reported a decrease in several major crime categories. According to statistics covering the period from July 1 to September 30, 2024, there has been a noteworthy reduction in crimes such as murder, robbery, and carjacking.





During this quarter, the SAPS observed a 5.1% decline across 17 community-reported serious crime categories. Notably, contact crimes decreased by 3%, while property-related crimes witnessed a significant reduction of 9.9%. Additionally, other serious crimes saw a decrease of 3.4%. Among the specifics, murder rates dropped by 5.8%, sexual offenses by 2.5%, and robbery with aggravating circumstances by a notable 8.8%. Furthermore, there was a 3.1% decrease in reported rape cases, with robbery at residential premises down by 1.3% and at non-residential premises by a significant 21.1%.


However, not all was positive in the report, as there were increases in certain areas. Attempted murder cases went up by 2.2%, assault resulting in grievous bodily harm increased by 1%, and commercial crime saw a substantial rise of 18.5%.


During the announcement, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu highlighted the impact of Operation Shanela on these statistics. Launched as a comprehensive law enforcement initiative, Operation Shanela has led to 262,396 arrests and involved over 7,549 high-density operations. It's clear that these focused efforts have contributed to the curtailment of specific crime categories.


Operation Shanela isn't just about arrests; it also encompasses Public Order Policing, which yielded 2,756 arrests this quarter and led to significant seizures, including counterfeit goods worth R22.2 million, 93 firearms, and 846 rounds of ammunition. In terms of Border Policing, the operations were equally successful, with 6,610 arrests and significant confiscations that include drugs valued at approximately R498 million, additional firearms, explosives, and stolen vehicles collectively worth R66.9 million.


Minister Mchunu emphasized the necessity of collaboration between various government departments, including the SAPS, Justice cluster, National Prosecuting Authority, and the Department of Home Affairs, to enhance the efficiency of Operation Shanela. He also announced that plans are underway to further consolidate this operation, details of which will be disclosed soon.


The report’s findings and the ongoing efforts under Operation Shanela reflect a multifaceted approach to combating crime in South Africa. While the decreases in key crime categories offer some reassurance to the public, the increases in others, particularly commercial crimes, underscore the complexities of crime prevention and the need for continued innovation and cooperation in law enforcement strategies.


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