By Anita Dangazele
- Police bosses released the latest crime numbers in Dimbaza on Wednesday and promised better resources for all struggling local stations.
- Murder cases dropped across the province between April and June, but attempted murder and property damage are still going up.
Eastern Cape communities will see more police on the roads after bosses sent 135 new cars to stations across the province.
Provincial police commissioner Vuyisile Ncata handed over the 78 detective cars and 57 support vehicles on Wednesday. He gave the cars to stations that do not have enough resources to fight crime.
Ncata and community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha were in Dimbaza to release the latest crime numbers for the province. The numbers cover crimes reported between April and June this year.
There is some good news for safety. Murder dropped by 6.4% across the province. Police recorded 70 fewer murders compared to the same time last year. Rape and sexual assault cases also went down.
But criminals are still striking hard. Attempted murder went up. Cases of malicious damage to property rose by nearly 6%, and thieves broke into more businesses and stole from cars.
Nelson Mandela Bay remains a dangerous area. KwaDwesi and Motherwell are still struggling with high numbers of murders and attempted murders. Nqatha said police and communities must work together to clean up these dangerous areas.
Ncata told the crowd that the numbers represent real people.
“Behind every crime statistic is a person, a family, and a community affected by crime,” Ncata said.
Before the meeting, police set up a roadblock on the R63 near Qonce to check cars and enforce traffic rules. Leaders also visited factories in Dimbaza to talk to workers about business robberies and vandalism.
Nqatha also used the event to give 45 pairs of school shoes, bicycles and sanitary towels to local schoolchildren. He asked voters to keep the peace ahead of the local government elections on 4 November.
Pictured above: South African Police Service officers on duty in the Eastern Cape.
Image source: SAPS
