According to the latest crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele, several police stations in Tshwane, including Temba, Akasia, Brooklyn, Pretoria Central, and Sunnyside, are among the top 30 stations nationally plagued by serious crimes. These statistics cover the period from January to March 2023 and reveal an increase in serious crimes reported in these areas compared to the same period last year. Nationally, there has been a 3.4% increase in murders during this period, with 6,289 people losing their lives to various violent means.

Akasia station in the north of Pretoria saw a staggering 68.8% increase in reported rape cases, with 27 cases in Jan-March 2023 compared to 16 in the same period of 2022. However, the station showed a significant 90% decrease in illegal firearm incidents.

Certain areas in the east of Pretoria also experienced an increase in “contact” crimes, such as murder, attempted murder, sexual offenses, common assault, and robbery. Boschkop police station recorded a 50% increase in murders but a 28.6% drop in sexual offenses. Brooklyn police station registered two murders during this quarter, a notable change from zero in the previous quarter. Attempted murders at the station decreased by 100% compared to January 2022.

On the other hand, Garsfontein station saw a 56.8% decrease in “trio” crimes, which include car hijacking, robbery at residential and non-residential premises, and recorded only 16 cases in the first three months of the year. The station also saw a 66.7% drop in murders but experienced a 50% increase in assaults with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.

Laudium station witnessed a 78.6% increase in trio crimes, with 25 cases reported compared to 14 in the same period of 2022. However, the station also recorded a significant 75% drop in murders.

Minister Cele stated that Operation Shanela, the national expansion of Gauteng’s Operation O Kae Molao, aims to combat crime by increasing resources and deploying more officers on the ground. The top 30 stations with the highest crime statistics will receive R65-million to address murder and other contact crimes. Additionally, the police force will be strengthened through the recruitment of more than 9,000 new personnel, and close to R2-billion will be allocated for the purchase of more police vehicles to increase visibility. rekord