Durban — The latest crime statistics for the second quarter of the current financial year released on Monday paint a grim picture for the crime-infested KwaZulu-Natal amid the murder and rape cases registered by the province.
Inanda, a township situated north of Durban, has once again solidified its reputation as the country’s murder capital, recording 81 murders from July to September – a rise from 76 during the same period in 2023.
Although uMlazi, south of Durban, reported a significant decline in murder cases from 79 to 50 within the same time frame; it still occupied the second position for the highest murder rates in the province.
Overall, KwaZulu-Natal saw a reduction in murder cases from 1 603 in the second quarter of 2023 to 1 428 this year.
The statistics also revealed Inanda’s alarming status as the area with the highest number of reported rape cases in the country, with 76 incidents logged in the second quarter of 2024, marginally up from 75 during the same period last year.
UMlazi followed closely behind, with 75 rape cases, up from 67 in 2023, contributing to the grim picture of escalating sexual violence across the province.
Contact crime, encompassing murder, attempted murder, and sexual offences, rose significantly in the country, with total cases increasing from 3 864 in the second quarter of 2023 to 3 999 this year.
Inanda registered the third-highest number of cases of contact crime – 934 incidents, up from 886 last year – reflecting a broader trend of escalating violence in the region.
While Inanda recorded a decrease in residential robberies at 69 cases, down from 76 last year, it still ranked second in the country in this category.
Alternatively, it remained the leader in arson cases, reporting eight incidents, up from six in 2023.
Nationally, uMlazi registered the highest number of attempted murder cases reported, followed by Inanda, Verulam and Ntuzuma – all under eThekwini.
UMlazi also had the highest reported cases of sexual offences at 91 cases having been opened in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 84 in 2023, followed by Inanda with 87 cases in 2024, a drop from 90 reported last year in the second quarter.
Reacting to this, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said: “I am happy to see an official from eThekwini who commands the police there. We are saying ‘step up and fight crime’.”
On robbery at residential premises, Inanda has the second highest cases at 69 cases, a drop from 76 in 2023.
During a media briefing on Monday, Mchunu said they have identified murder, attempted murder, assault GBH (grievous bodily harm) and rape as “core crimes shaping our environment and which are our priorities”.
“Gender-based violence (GBV), which has become a national priority crime, requires our distinct focus, as it continues to devastate families and communities, with a unique set of challenges that demand specialised intervention, thorough investigations, and collaborative solutions,” he remarked.
He added: “We are battling the growing menace of organised crime, and we are also grappling with economic crimes that threaten the foundations of our economy and the livelihoods of millions of South Africans, including extortion and criminality on critical infrastructure.”
Mchunu revealed that 17 police officers were murdered in the second quarter – 13 off-duty and four on-duty.
“I must just add that we have been exploring the possibility of how the SAPS can assist families with civil claims against those responsible for the murder of police officers.
“This initiative aims to ensure that justice is served, not just through criminal proceedings but also by holding perpetrators financially accountable for the pain and loss they have caused,” said Mchunu.
Ian Cameron MP, the DA spokesperson on police, said: Today’s (Monday) release of our country’s crime statistics shows a step forward in our fight against crime.
“It nonetheless presents no reason for complacency, as our rates of crime remain some of the highest in the world. We must remain steadfast in bringing safety to communities, homes and businesses. We are far from there yet.”
Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has been criss-crossing the province leading crime summits in different crime-ridden regions – including a recent one in Inanda in October.
Crime expert and author, Mary de Haas, argued that the struggle against crime was worsened by corruption within the police force, particularly in crime intelligence.
She called for an overhaul of the crime intelligence to effectively tackle the systemic issues undermining law-enforcement operations.
“The only way the police can effectively fight crime is by making sure that the corrupt people are removed from crime intelligence,” she said.
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