GEORGE NEWS - While the latest crime statistics show a steep countrywide increase of 6,9% in the number of murders in the 2017/18 financial year, the greater George policing area showed a marginal decrease, from 65 reported cases last year to 64 cases in the 2017/18 period.

Nearly half of these cases (36) were reported in the Thembalethu policing area, showing a 33,3% increase in murder cases from the 27 cases reported in the last financial year.

Conville experienced a 47,6% decrease, from 21 to 11. The George police station showed an increase of 50%, (from six to nine), and Pacaltsdorp had the least reported murder cases showing a 27,3% decrease, from 11 to eight.

The latest national crime statistics, which cover the period from April 2017 to March 2018, were released by Police Minister Bheki Cele on Tuesday 11 September.

Sexual offences
All police stations in the area showed an overall decrease in sexual offences*, except Thembalethu that showed an increase of 27,4 % (106 to 135). The number of reported rape cases in Thembalethu is especially alarming, with 22 more cases reported this year, showing an increase of 26,5% (83 to 105).

The overall rape figure for the four local police stations did however show an increase, from 285 to 297. According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, this figure does not necessarily mean that more rapes took place, but could simply indicate that more people are reporting cases of this nature.

"Recent convictions of sexual offenders could restore the trust of the public in the judicial system. This trust can play a contributing role in the increase of reported incidents. The general increase in the overall rape figures, however, remains a concern and after analysing the latest statistics in its entirety, we will adjust our anti-rape strategies, programmes and awareness campaigns with relevant stakeholders within the security and safety cluster."

The rape figure in George also showed an increase of 8,6% (70 to 76) and an overall increase of 4,3% (116 to 121) in all sexual offences was seen. George was also listed 18th on the Western Cape's list of police stations with the most reported cases of sexual assault.

Although Conville finds itself 16th on this list, it showed an overall decrease in sexual offences of 22,9% (131 to 101). Of these, 67 rape cases were reported compared to 79 last year - a decrease of 15,2%.

Pacaltsdorp police station showed a 10,7% decrease in sexual offences (84 to 75). Their rape figure also dropped by 7,5% (53 to 49).

* Sexual offences include rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences.

Malicious damage to property
Thembalethu and Conville, the two areas that were heavily affected by violent protests in June this year, showed a noticeable increase in this category. Pojie confirmed the suspicion that the increase could be directly linked to the protests.

Thembalethu went from 142 to 219, an increase of 54,2%. Conville, on the other hand, showed a small percentage increase of 10,7% (225 to 249). George showed a decrease of 13,7% (256 to 221) and Pacaltsdorp went from 150 to 135, a decrease of 10%.

Crime detected as a result of police action
In the 2017/18 financial year, 11 more cases of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition were reported in Thembalethu. Compared to last year's one reported case, this year's 12 show an increase of 1 100%. Drug-related crime also showed an increase of 28,5% (435 to 559). However, a decrease of 14,1% (78 to 67) was seen in people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In George, drug-related crime showed an amazing decrease of 193 reported cases. This is 17,2% less than last year's 1 125. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, however, showed an alarming increase of 20,5% (259 to 312). One more case (6 to 7) of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition was reported.

Conville showed a decrease of 4,6% (1 323 to 1 262) in drug-related crimes, but a 16,9% increase (160 to 187) in people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drug-related crime showed a slight decrease of 9,6% in Pacaltsdorp (489 to 442), however a 56,5% increase (147 to 230) was seen in people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

n Pojie confirmed a police media briefing will soon be held to discuss the local crime statistics in depth.

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