By Everson Luhanga
A total of 7,710 people were murdered in South Africa between 1 October 2023 and 31 December 2023.
This was revealed by the police minister Bheki Cele when he released crime statistics on Friday.
The minister said it is concerning that the number of people murdered during this period increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more people killed compared to the same period last year.
“The top five stations where murders were reported are Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal and Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape,” he said.
Cele said 431 murders were linked to vigilantism and mob justice attacks. Gauteng registered the highest with 84, followed by the Eastern Cape with 80 and KwaZulu-Natal with 78.
Rape has declined by 1,7 % in six provinces including Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Western Cape.
Cele said 46 cash-in-transit heists took place – 11 fewer than the previous crime reporting period.
Criminals have also been targeting police officers both on and off duty. Cele said 22 police officers were killed during this period – 10 on duty and 12 off-duty.
Cele said six mass shooting incidents were reported, while five men were burnt to death in a mob justice attack in Diepsloot in December.
Cele said that Operation Shanela is making its mark and putting a dent in serious, violent, and organised crime. Since it began on 8 May 2023, more than 442,000 suspects have been arrested.
Cele mentioned some of the successes during this period were four major drug busts. Three were at the Durban harbour where cocaine to the value of R300-million was seized.
The most recent drug bust during this period was for cocaine valued at R151-million on 4 December 2023. The fourth drug bust was at the Gqerberha port where cocaine worth R65-million was seized.
In the same period, R800-million worth of drugs were destroyed in Gauteng and secret drug laboratories were shut down with 21 suspects arrested on drug-related charges.
Ian Cameroon, crime activist and director at Action Society said “the state has lost control. Communities must lawfully organise, mobilise, train and arm themselves.”
Pictured above: Mob justice incident.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
