POLOKWANE - In successive to the recent release of the National Crime Statistics for the third quarter of 2021/2022 financial year by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele (MP), Provinces also have the responsibility to release their crime statistics for the same quarter.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers, supported by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety Mrs Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya had on Thursday, 03 March 2022 presented the Provincial Crime Statistics for 2021/2022 quarter at the Saps PROV-JOC, in Ladanna, Polokwane.
The crime release statistics aimed to update the citizens of the province regarding the crime trends and to guide the organisation on proper strategies to follow in fighting crime.
In attendance during the release was, the Acting HOD for the Department of Transport and Community Safety Ms Jane Mulaudzi, the Chief Director and the Provincial Secretariant Civilians Ms Nhlane Mthimkhulu, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Crime Detection Major General Samuel Manala, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner responsible for Corporate Services Major General Christine Moralakadi, the District Commissioner of Waterberg Major General Dikeledi Mangena, the District Commissioner of Vhembe Major General Eddie Van Der Walt, the District Commissioner of Mopani Major General Willy Mashava and the Acting Sekhukhune District Commissioner Brigadier Maluleke, the Provincial Heads and other stakeholders.
The session was opened by Biblical scripture reading and prayer by Warrant Officer (Chaplain) Mokoena, followed by Major General Christine Morakaladi rendering the welcoming item.
Major General Scheepers, during his presentation, said, "these crime statistics is an emergency call for all of us, in order to win against crime in our province, although in some categories, we have improved but I believe we need to do more because It is true when said", crime reflects the picture of the community we live in."
"In some of the crime categories, such as the property and contact crimes have recorded an increase with the highest rates especially at the Thohoyandou, Mankweng, Polokwane and Seshego Policing areas but, already there are turnaround strategies implemented at these stations based on stabilization and normalization approach of the SAPS."
The Contact Crime recorded an increase of 1.8%, murder cases an increase of 22.4% and attempted murder shows an increase of 38.2%. This says in our province, 641 people are being brutally attacked on daily basis. As community, we need to do an introspection. He said to men, "Let's be real men, because real men protect and love genuinely. Real protectors, Let's stop the GBVF and Domestic violence by taking a stand to protect each other."
There decline at some categories being a decrease of 5.7% in rape cases, 24.3 % decrease in robbery at residential premises, property related crimes also recorded a decrease 6.8% and an 11.3% decrease on burglaries at business premises.
Major General Scheepers, then handed the podium to the Provincial Head of Crime Registar Brigadier Molema for a detailed report Crime pattern analysis.
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety Ms Mavhungu-Lerule Ramakhanya, in her remarks, she said, "because we have major responsibilities to prevent and combat crime, we will never smile until our crime stats change an overall 'green bar' as we account to the community members.
She praised the station commanders for not giving-up even in situations where there's lack of enough resources including the personnel but ensuring that against all odds, they still pull through to service our communities.
The MEC made a call to the SAPS management to jointly engage with liquor outlets owners through the CPFs because in most instances, people who are under the influence of liquor contribute more into the GBV incidents which occurs indoors and police are unable to reach such spaces unless the victims report. She further said "Community members must not get tired from reporting the corrupt Police officers.
She also encouraged the Police to continue with their daily joint operations because indeed they contribute a lot against crime in this province.
She warned community members who are still hitchhiking vehicles from the strangers, she said the public should refrain from that, because they are intentionally compromising their safety by trusting strangers.
During the 'Question and answer Session', the Acting Provincial Commissioner and the MEC responded to all the questions asked by the journalists.
Source: South African Police Service