Crime statistics shows an increase in the number of peo

Minister Bheki Cele releases quarterly Crime Statistics which shows that during the period of 2023/2024, a total of 7 710 people were murdered. This figure shows an increase in the number of people murdered when compared to the stats released last year by 2.1% leading to 155 more people murdered as compared to the same.

Minister Cele said the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State must be singled out and commended for being able to register a reduction in the number of people murdered during this period.

Operation Shanela is making an impact against crime

“It is clear that our efforts to prevent, combat and arrest criminals is proving to be effective. It is also quite clear with the number of arrests made, that OPERATION SHANELA is making its mark and putting a dent on serious, violent and organised crime”, he said.

The Minister further added that it is important to highlight that attention and more resources have been allocated to stations that have the highest number of murders reported. The majority of the top 30 stations where murder was most reported include the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape.

Amongst the top 5 stations where murders were reported are in Inanda in KZN, and Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.

From a sample size of 7,340 murders, it was established that Arguments, misunderstandings, and provocation remain the top causal factors leading to 1,116 murders. 268 gang-related murders, 250 of these murders were reported in the Western Cape. 431 murders were linked to vigilantism. Crime statistics show an increase in the number of people murdered and mob justice attacks. Gauteng registered the highest with 84, followed by the Eastern Cape with 80 and KwaZulu-Natal with 78.

During the same period the SAPS registered the following convictions in relation to murder: Life imprisonment: 42 murderers were handed down 56 life sentences.

20 plus years imprisonment: 83 murderers were handed down life sentences each
10-19 years’ imprisonment: 282 murderers were handed down a collective 287 year’s imprisonment sentence
5-9 years imprisonment: 215 murderers were handed down a collective 216 years’ imprisonment sentence