Stats: more violent crimes in Gauteng

Between October and December 2023, Gauteng witnessed a surge in contact crimes, according to statistics released yesterday by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni.

The province recorded an increase in contact crimes, with figures climbing from 50 039 in 2022 to 51 327 in 2023, marking a rise of 1 288 counts.

Contact crimes are those in which the victims are the targets of violence or are in the vicinity of property that criminals target and are subjected to the use of, or threats of violence.

Among the 1 288 counts, robbery with aggravating circumstances recorded the highest increase, with 716 reported incidents, followed by assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm at 481 counts. Attempted murder increased by 152 counts, while murder saw an increase of 66 counts.

There were slight reductions in sexual offences (79 fewer counts) and common assault (57 fewer counts) compared to the same period in 2022.

Property-related crimes also witnessed a surge, with residential robberies increasing from 2 130 to 2 229 incidents, while hijackings rose from 2 632 to 3 010 counts. Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles also increased, from 4 887 to 5 079, with 192 more vehicles stolen. Cash-in-transit robberies decreased from 27 incidents in 2022 to 16 in 2023.

The crime stats further showed that Gauteng residents tended to escalate their arguments, misunderstandings and road rage incidents, which led to 185 counts of murder. This as 154 counts of murders were recorded during robberies. A total of 84 deaths were linked to vigilantism or mob justice.

Public spaces such as streets, parks, and parking areas, witnessed the highest number of murders, at 956 counts.