GEORGE NEWS - When looking at the latest quarterly crime statistics, it is clear that crime in South Africa is becoming more and more violent.
The crime statistics released on Wednesday afternoon, 23 November, reflect crimes that were reported to the police from 1 July to 30 September.
Violent crimes
Countrywide during the three-month period, more than 10 000 rape cases were opened, 13 000 women were victims of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), 1 277 women were victims of attempted murder, and 989 women were murdered.
In addition, the police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) processed more than 17 000 trial-ready GBV cases.
Greater George
Sadly in George, the picture isn't much brighter and it seems contact crimes like assault GBH, common assault and sexual offences are becoming more violent and more frequent. In total, George reported 65 rapes and 20 murders.
Just as alarming is the number of violent assaults. From the beginning of July to end of September, police stations in George reported 239 cases of assault GBH and 433 cases of common assault.
Thembalethu
In Thembalethu alone, an increase of 76 cases of contact crimes were reported, 11 murders, 31 cases of rape, 88 cases of assault GBH and 77 cases of common assault. All of these have increased by at least 10 cases per crime compared with last year this time.
Furthermore, burglaries at residential premises also showed an increase from 48 cases last year to 59 this year. On the bright side, 51 more drug-related incidents were detected as a result of police action, with 71 this year compared with 20 last year.
Active police action such as roadblocks and raids has also led to the discovery of crimes. This category covers the illegal possession of firearms, driving under the influence (of drugs or alcohol), and the use, possession or trade of illegal drugs.
Conville
In Conville, 79 cases of assault GBH were reported (60 last year) and 135 people laid assault complaints. Five more women were raped than last year with 14 cases reported this year (nine last year) and the total of sexual offences including sexual assault and attempted sexual offences, increased from 16 cases last year to 31 this year.
In total, property-related crimes went up by 30 cases with 150 reported this year. Here burglaries at residential premises (62 this year with 52 last year) and theft out of or from motor vehicles (58 compared with 32 last year) were first in line.
On the upside though, 34 more arrests were made this year due to crime detected as a result of police action (185 vs 151).
George police station reported a 42-count increase in contact crimes - from 213 last year to 255 this year. Of these, 136 were cases of common assault and 37 were cases of assault GBH.
Two fewer rape cases were reported this year (12 vs 14), and one less murder (4 vs 5). A total of 66 more drug-related crimes were detected due to police action and 51 more of driving under the influence.
In George, assault GBV and common assault both increased from last year.
Pacaltsdorp
According to the stats, Pacaltsdorp had a relatively peaceful second quarter with 10 fewer rape cases reported (from 18 to 8) and 15 fewer cases of assault GBH. Property-related crimes also showed an overall decrease of 15 cases.
However, one murder was reported this year (none last year) and contact crimes did show an overall increase of eight cases (5,4%). Other serious crimes increased by 49 cases from 60 last year to 109 this year. Other serious crimes include commercial crime, shoplifting and other types of theft. 28 more drug-related crimes were detected due to police action and 32 cases of driving under the influence.
As a nation we can only hope that the current 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Children, will bring some sort of relief to this quarter's statistics.
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