The situation seems to be getting worse as criminal activities have reached an all time high in the country. Women are being killed, children killed by their mothers, kidnapped, raped and mutilated, innocent people robbed. Crime in South Africa has been recorded to be worse than it was 20 years ago, according to stats from 1 July to 30 September 2022.

STATS TELL A SHOCKING STORY

Women and children continue to be the most vulnerable and victimised as femicide cases rise. From rape, assault, murder, attempted murder, kidnappings, police killings,, vigilantism and protests, criminals have turned South Africa into their playground. Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed these stats comparing them to those of 2021 when the country was still under lockdown. Cele expressed concern  at the rate  women are killed by  loved ones they trust.He said the nation is close to commemorating the  16 Days of Activism Against against GBV but the reality is that women continue to be victims of brutality. "Over 13 000 women were victims of assault with intend to cause grievous bodily harm between July and September 2022. There were 1 277 women who were victims of attempted murder, and 989 women were murdered during this reporting period of three months." He said 10 000 rape cases were opened in various police stations and 62% of them happened at the residence of the victim or perpatrator. "Inanda police station in KwaZulu-Natal, Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and Delft in the Western Cape are the three top stations with the highest rape cases. Mpumalanga is the only province that recorded a decline of rape cases reported," said Cele.

A COMMON ENEMY 

In just six months 558 children were killed. Cele blames the community for failing to protect young ones from preying individuals who are at times family members. He said 1895 cases of assault GBH cases were opened. "The latest was that of a seven-year old from Tembisa. His father hit him with an electric cord and his whole back had scars. Fortunately the community was alerted by the landlord about this and they dealt with the father before handing him over to the police."He said  SAPS across the country investigated a total of 85 640 assault GBH and common assault cases in the three months of reporting. "Arguments, road rage, provocation and misunderstandings as well as retaliation, revenge and punishment, remain the top motives for assaults GBH." Cele said 7004 people were killed in this short period, this includes police killings and multiple murders. "Although the overview of these crime stats are disheartening, we can't lose the fight against crime. We need to keep at it. These figures will guide us in which steps to take to tackle or better implement strategies."He asked citizens to beware of criminals as we approach the festive season and for the community to work hand in hand with the police as they fight the common enemy, crime.