The Eastern Cape province has recently been identified as having the highest per capita murder rate in South Africa, despite a national decrease in murders over the second quarter. According to Major General Thulare Sekhukhune, the component head of crime registrar at the police department, the per capita murder rate for the Eastern Cape was 20 per 100,000 people for the three months from July to September. This statistic places the Eastern Cape at the top of the list when compared to the other provinces in the country.
Following the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape had a per capita murder rate of 14 per 100,000, while KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng had rates of 12 and nine respectively. The province with the lowest per capita murder rate was Limpopo, with four per 100,000 people.
Major General Sekhukhune highlighted specific incidents that contributed to the high murder rate in the Eastern Cape, such as the tragic event in Lusikisiki where 18 people were killed in a single instance. Other incidents mentioned included the killings in Kanana, Highflats, Umlazi, Phokeng, and Bronkhorstspruit.
In addition to murders, the Eastern Cape also had the second-highest per capita rate of rape in the second quarter, with 23 per 100,000 people. This was just behind the Free State, which topped the provinces with 24 per 100,000.
Despite these concerning statistics, there have been improvements in other areas of crime. Nationally, rape cases decreased by 3.1%, while robberies at residential and non-residential premises saw reductions of 1.3% and 21.1% respectively. However, there were increases in attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and commercial crime.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu acknowledged the progress made in reducing certain crimes but emphasized the need for continued efforts in law enforcement, prevention, and community involvement to address the persistent high crime rates. When asked about the reasons behind the decrease in murders and rapes, Mchunu simply stated, “Police are at work.”
Overall, the latest crime statistics highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in South Africa and the importance of collaborative efforts to combat crime effectively.
