Mpumalanga has seen an increase in murder, rape, hijacking and kidnapping. Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General, Semakaleng Manamela and MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, released the third quarter crime statistics in Mbombela.
Most of the increase in contact crimes was in the Ehlanzeni region. Authorities say they are concerned about the increase in crime.
About 490 cases of murder and over 900 cases of rape were reported in the third quarter of 2023.
And while hijacking has increased, there was a decrease in cash-in-transit heists, house robberies and business robberies.
Alcohol has been cited as the main contributor to the increase in criminal activities.
“Murder is our main concern, and in most of these cases, guns and sharp objects are being used,” says Lt. Gen Semakaleng Manamela, Mpumalanga Police Commissioner.
“We have introduced overall Friday where we go to taverns and check the compliance and safety of patrons,” says Vusi Shongwe, Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC.
