Following the release of the national crime statistics which indicate a spike in rape and murder cases in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has on behalf of the Provincial Government, called on the police force to intensify their crime fighting efforts in all identified hotspots in order to stem the tide of violent crimes in the province.
Police Minister General Bheki Cele released the crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year today.
After analysing the province’s crime statistics, Premier Dube-Ncube said: “The Provincial Executive Council is deeply concerned about the grim picture painted by the latest crime statistics which indicate that rape and murder cases have soared by 9.9% and 6.5%, respectively in KwaZulu-Natal, when compared to the previous financial year. It is also very disturbing that many women are raped or murdered by people they know and trust. We are encouraged that the province will receive a deployment of over 2000 additional police officers during the festive season which will result in improved police visibility and crime intelligence gathering using modern technology to effectively thwart criminal syndicates,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
Premier Dube-Ncube has since directed the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster led by Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka, to present an urgent turnaround plan that will proactively deal with the identified problem areas with a view of implementing immediate solutions.
“We will not allow criminals to turn parts of our province into a murder and rape capital of South Africa. Ensuring an organised approach to crime prevention through stronger collaboration between police, crime fighting structures and civil society must form part of the province’s intervention turnaround plan in order to put an end to the rising crime scourge in our province. The fact that contact crimes including heinous acts of murder, sexual offences and rape have increased means that we have to intensify our efforts to rid our society of all forms of criminality. It cannot be business as usual when our province is leading in various crime categories,” said Premier Dube-Ncube
However, the Premier has welcomed the decrease in sexual assault crimes by 8.2 % but stressed that more work needs to be done.
Premier Dube-Ncube also thanked police in the province and all safety structures that continue to play an active role in fighting crime but added that greater concerted efforts by government, police and civil society was critical to enhance initiatives aimed at preventing and combating crime.
Ends
Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube
For more information contact KZN Provincial Government Communication Head Lennox Mabaso on 082 884 2403 or KZN Premier Media Liaison Gugu Sisilana on 082 889 3474