The crime statistics for January to March 2023, the fourth quarter of the 2022-’23 financial year, recently released by police minister Bheki Cele indicated the Western Cape saw the biggest reduction (14,1%) of murders recorded.
This decrease of 143 murders from 1 015 murders recorded in the province in the corresponding period a year ago will be no consolation for the loved ones of 872 people who were killed.
The total number of contact crimes in the province – crimes against the person, which include murder, assault, sexual offenses, and robbery – showed a 4% increase, contributing 19,1% of all contact crimes in the country.
Kuils River police also saw a slight increase (3,4%) in the total number of contact crimes with 331 cases recorded.
Seven murders were recorded locally, five more than in the first three months of last year (2). Five of the murders were registered as culpable homicide (negligent killing). The 15 attempted murder cases locally were the highest for this quarter in the past five years.
Robbery with aggravated circumstances increased from 66 a year ago to 93 cases.
Eight residential robberies and seven non-residential robberies were recorded in the Kuils River policing precinct. There were seven carjackings, two less than a year ago. One truck hijacking was recorded.
Kuils River police also recorded two kidnappings.
Burglaries increased
Twelve more cases of malicious damage to property (88) were recorded. There were three arson cases, two less than a year ago when an unusual five cases were recorded in the Kuils River precinct.
Burglaries increased at both residential and non-residential premises placing Kuils River amongst the top-30 within the Western Cape, in 12th and 23rd place, respectively. There were 107 burglaries at homes (up from 88) and 27 burglaries at non-residential premises (up from 18).
The number of vehicles or motorcycles stolen in Kuils River during the first three months of the year since 2019 ranged from 15 to 26. This year there were 19 cases.
The number of cases of theft out of or from vehicles and motorcycles (69) were the lowest for the corresponding quarter since 2019. On the other hand, 78 cases of commercial crime and 63 cases of shoplifting were the highest recorded for this quarter the past five years.
