THE most recent crime statistics of the Eastern Cape have shown a decrease in sexual offence cases in the province.
This was revealed by MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, who released the fourth quarter crime statistics at Raymond Mhlaba Municipality council chambers in Alice on Friday, 9 June.
“There was a generic decrease in various categories of sexual offences, with a notable decrease of 19,9% in sexual assault cases and rape showing a decline of 12,7%.
"However, there is a concern in the OR Tambo District, where two police stations from that district are appearing in the national top 30 police stations and that is Lusikisiki, which is sitting at number three and followed by Mthatha at number five," said Nqatha.
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He said the two stations occupy the top two positions on the provincial list. "However, for the same period, members from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit managed to arrest at least 940 suspects for rape,” he said.
Nqatha also revealed that they had an increase in arrests in drugs and illegal firearms arrests.
“A total of 403 firearms were confiscated and among those six were automatic rifles with an assortment of ammunition and there was a positive increase in the illegal firearms category, where confiscation increased by 57,7%. There was also a positive increase in drugs crimes with an increase of 5,8%,” he said.
Speaking about their research, Nqatha said: “Our research has revealed that in areas where there is an existence of community policing forums, crime has decreased significantly. In this financial year, the Department of Community Safety will continue to establish more Community Policing Forums.
“The most problematic districts in the Eastern Cape are Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City and OR Tambo districts. These districts contribute the most to murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery, and sexual offences.”
