South Africa has seen a rise in sexual offences, rape, and murder in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021, said Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday.
These stats only cover reported crimes.
Compare to the first three months of 2021, during lockdown level 3, and the same period in 2022 under lockdown level 1, there was a significant increase the said crimes.
The number of sexual offences reported in the first three months of the year increased by 13.7% to 13 799. An increase of 1666 from the same time last year. A total of 10 818 rapes were therefore reported.
Murder crimes also shot up by 22.2% from 4976 in the same period last year to 6083 in 2022. The figure spikes controversy as gender-based violence cases are also on a rise.
The likes of Hillary Gardee and Namhla Mtwa are but two out of thousands who South Africa are mourning.
The 28-year-old Hillary, the daughter of the EFF’s former secretary-general, Godrich Gardee, went missing in April, and her body was discovered near Sabie in Mpumalanga. An autopsy revealed Gardee was shot in the back of the head and stabbed multiple times.
Mtwa, 34-year, who worked for the OR Tambo municipality, was gunned down in her vehicle on April 21. It is alleged that an Eastern Cape businessman and member of the ANC is implicated in her killing.
Just a week ago three children were reported dead after their father allegedly poisoned their drinks amid paternity woes with the mother.
The police have since promised to tackle these matters with diligence.
Also read: Missing EFF leader Godrich Gardee’s daughter found dead
EFF demands justice for slain Namhla Mtwa
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