The Democratic Alliance in the Northern Cape is concerned that the province is increasingly becoming more violent amidst the recent spate in contact crime for the period of September to December 2023.
Crime stats released this morning revealed that the province now has four police stations ranking in the top 30 for attempted murder. We are especially concerned that the Galeshewe SAPS station ranks in the top five for this category. With Rosedale, Roodepan and Kagisho SAPS stations also making it onto the top 30 list, it is worrying that the province is slowly but surely climbing the ranks for violent crimes.
Assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm increased with 303 cases while robbery with aggravating circumstances increased with 27 counts.
Contact crime in the province has also increased with 201 cases and kidnapping has skyrocketed from 31 to 53 cases for the same period under review, which is largely attributed to human trafficking.
Despite an insignificant decrease in rape cases, the province’s rape ratio still comes in at the third highest, just behind Eastern Cape and Free State.
Also, aside from a slight decrease in property related crime, burglary at residential and non-residential premises, other serious crimes and theft out of a motor-vehicle, Northern Cape police stations have also made it onto the top 30 lists for these crime categories as well.
It is evident that crime syndicates are increasingly and unashamedly gambling with the lives of the people of the Northern Cape.
The latest crime stats come as no surprise. The people of this province are tired of waiting for the police to respond to emergencies due to a lack of operational police vehicles and a lack of personnel. They are also tired of empty promises made by this uncaring government such as the questionable Operation Shanela that dismally failed the province with such high numbers in contact crimes.
Residents of the Northern Cape are no longer safe under ANC rule. It is time that we vote out this inept government that continues to sap the life out of SAPS, making people increasingly vulnerable to crime.