- Western Cape saw a reduction in murder cases, down from 1,301 to 1,198, and a 4.6% decrease in sexual offences from 2,051 to 1,957 between October and December 2024.
- Gang violence remains a significant issue, particularly in areas like Bishop Lavis, Mitchells Plain, and Elsies River, with illegal firearms being a major contributor to crimes.
- Provincial officials highlight ongoing efforts to fight gang violence, including the reevaluation of LEAP officer deployments.
Provincial police commissioner Lt Gen (Adv) Thembisile Patekile said police will continue to fight the scourge of gang-related crime in the Western Cape.
Patekile briefed the media on the 2024/2025 third-quarter crime statistics on Tuesday 25 February and said murder was down to 1 198 cases compared to 1 301 cases in the same period the previous year.
From 1 October to 31 December last year, the province also saw a reduction in 15 categories of the 17 community-related reported crimes, but there was a spike in common assault and commercial crimes.
Patekile was joined by Anroux Marais, provincial minister for police oversight and community safety, and Fransina Lukas, chair of the National Community Police Consultative Forum at provincial police headquarters in Green Point.
Statistics show sexual offences also saw a 4,6% reduction from 2 051 to 1 957.
The commissioner pointed out that gang violence “continues to rear its ugly head” in areas such as Bishop Lavis, Mitchells Plain, Kleinvlei, Delft and Elsies River.
“Murders and attempted murders weapons of choice are illegal firearms. This compels us to be intentional in the execution of operational activities to rid communities of illegal firearms and ammunition,” he said
Patekile said about 613 illegal firearms and more than 20 000 rounds of ammunition were seized in this period.
Marais concurred with the provincial commissioner, saying crime on the Cape Flats remained a concern.
“I am happy that we did have a decrease,” she said, “but I am concerned about what is happening with gangsterism on the Cape Flats. We need to do something differently and take a bigger step towards the community. It must be a holistic approach, or else we will never win this war.”
Marais said the deployment of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers would be relooked at.
Patekile dismissed increased calls for the army to be deployed to hot-spot area, saying there was no need.
“There is no need for the military, we must stamp the authority of the state. They are criminals, but not yet at that level where summoning the army is necessary. We want to believe we are able to deal with it and are indeed doing so.”
He expressed gratitude to community-based safety structures.
“The Neighbourhood watches, community patrollers and community policing forums are working hard to ensure people are safe in hot-spot areas.”
