Heists, bank robberies, drug offences rockets

Crime statistics released today revealed that police are still struggling in the fight against crime

By Jeffrey Letlape

Crime statistics released today show police are still struggling to curb cash-in-transit robberies, bank robberies and drug-related offences which have increased.

The figures released by Charles Nqakula, the safety and security minister, in Pretoria today, show that the recent spate of robberies and cash heists nationwide, has translated into a 14% increase in cash-in transit heists and a 7% increase in bank robberies.

However, murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and common robbery are all on a steady decline nationally.

Nqakula announced downward trends in 17 of the country's most serious crime categories. Murder dropped by 5.6% in 2004/5 from the previous financial year, attempted murder by 1.8%t and serious assault 4.5%. On the other hand, rape has increased by 4% over two financial years, and indecent assault by 8%. Nqakula has welcomed the drop in crime statistics, but says figures still remain high.

Winning the battle against crime
Nkoshilo Seimela, an SAPS statistician, says they are winning the battle against crime, but stressed that the current levels are still unacceptable. Seimela says the 17 most serious crime categories all show a significant decrease. Police say the intensive fire-arm collection operations appear to have paid off, as possession of illegal fire-arms and ammunition, went down by 8.3%. Car hijackings went down with an impressive 10%.

While the department of safety and security has been up-beat about improvements shown in statistics, the Democratic Alliance (DA) says these are nothing to write home about. The DA says it believes a more dramatic reduction in crime can be achieved through improved prevention and detection of crime.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says increased police operations, targeting drug-related offenses, could be a major reason behind the drug-related crimes increasing by 33%, in the past financial year.