South Africa has recorded an increase in violent crime by the end of 2023, with several police stations across the country recording a high number of murders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police Minister Bheki Cele said that murders in the third quarter of the 2023\/24 year (October to December 2023) increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more murders compared to Q3 2022\/23. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said that arguments, misunderstanding and road rage were the main reasons for the killings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It is also concerning that of the 268 gang-related murders, 250 of these murders were reported in the Western Cape,” Cele said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
431 murders were linked to vigilantism and mob justice attacks, Gauteng registered the highest with 84, followed by the Eastern Cape with 80 and KwaZulu-Natal with 78.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SAPS recorded a total of 7,710 murders over the period<\/strong>, meaning an average of 84 people were murdered every day in Q3<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third quarter data gives the final tally for the 2023 calendar year as well, with the country ultimately recording 27,368 murders between January and December 2023<\/strong> – an average of 75 murders per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The minister said that police stations that are hotspots for more murders will be sent additional resources to try and combat the rising crime levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking at other violent crimes over the third quarter, attempted murder increased by 13.0% from the prior period – rising from 7,016 to 7,927. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily (5.8%), common assault (0.4%), common robbery (3.9%) and robbery with aggravating circumstances (6.6%) all increased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, contact crime (crimes against the person) increased by 3.8% compared to the prior period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sexual offences (-11.0%), including rape (-1.7%), decreased compared to the prior period. That said, attempted sexual offences increased by 1.3%. Concerningly, the majority of rapes took place at the victim’s place of residence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cash-in-transit robberies also dropped, and 46 CITs took place – 11 less than the prior period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, carjackings also increased by 6.5% from 5,608 to 5,973. <\/p>\n\n\n\n