Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage, and provocations were the main cause for murders committed in the first three months of 2023.
In the Northern Cape, knives were the instrument used most to commit a murder (45 cases), followed by a firearm (seven), and a sharp instrument and body part (both five) as the third object.
This is according to the crime statistics released for the fourth quarter of the 2022-’23 financial year, which is January to March this year.
The national statistics were released early this month, with the provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, giving a brief overview on the province’s statistics on 6 June.
A decrease of 10,5% in murder cases was reported in the Northern Cape (down from 95 to 85 cases, comparing with the same period last year). Most murders took place in KwaZulu-Natal (1 589), and the second highest rate belongs to Gauteng (1 556).
Otola said the police had a sharp focus on gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, resulting in a decrease of 3,7% in rape cases in the province.
In the Northern Cape, as well as nationally, incidences of rape would often occur at the residence of the perpetrator or the victim, or at a residence of family, friends, or neighbours of the perpetrator or victim.
Public places such as a street, open field, park, or parking area are where the second highest rate of rape cases took place. Three rapes were reported at educational institutions.
Nationally, hijackings decreased, while three more cases were reported in the Northern Cape (from eight to 11 cases).
Robberies at residential premises increased nationally by 5,9%, while 21 more cases were reported in the Northern Cape (from 29 to 50).
Robberies at non-residential premises increased in the province with ten cases.
No cases of cash-in-transit robberies or truck hijackings were reported in the Northern Cape during this period. Most trucks were hijacked in Gauteng (272).
Contact crimes (crimes against the person) had an overall increase of 6,3% in the province.
Otola said the police remained focused and committed to combat crime and to hold criminals responsible for the heinous deeds they commit in the province.
The police also prioritises damage to essential infrastructure such as copper theft, and have established task teams within districts to deal with these types of crime decisively.
