Crime rates drop in Limpopo: Thembi Hadebe's latest statistics

Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has officially released the provincial crime statistics for the second and third quarters of the 2024/2025 financial year.

The provincial crime statistics were released on Monday at the Landbank Building in Polokwane.

The event follows the release of the national crime statistics by Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, last month.

Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the session was attended by “distinguished guests” including MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye; head of department for Transport and Community Safety, Steve Matjena; provincial head of the Civilian Secretariat for Police, Nhlane-Mthimkulu, deputy provincial commissioners, district commissioners, senior SAPS officials, labour union representatives, and community representatives.

Presenting the statistics, Hadebe highlighted a decline in most crime categories, attributing the success to targeted high-density operations such as Shanela/Kukula in hotspot areas and awareness campaigns in crime-ridden communities. 

Hadebe also attributed the crime-combating successes to the enlistment of 553 police constables who reinforced the capacity of various police units. This, she said, enhanced visibility and crime prevention across the province.

“A total of 30,063 suspects were arrested in the second quarter (July – September 2024) and 28,946 in the third quarter (October – December 2024). Overall crime decreased by 3.1%, with property crime down by 0.5% and other serious crimes down by 6.8%. 

“Murder increased by 2.5% in the second quarter but saw a significant 29.5% decrease in the 3rd quarter,” said Hadebe.

The province also recorded a decrease in rape cases by 7.3% in the second quarter and 2.7% in the third quarter. 

However, sexual assault increased by 7.3% in the second quarter of 2024 but saw a 0.8% decrease in the third quarter. 

“A total of 1,170 years of imprisonment and 47 life sentences were handed down to gender-based violence offenders. Despite this remarkable improvement in our crime, we continue to monitor this category. These stations continue to be on our radar, Thohoyandou, Mankweng, Seshego and Maake as well as other police stations,” said Hadebe.

Robbery and property crimes classified as non-residential robbery decreased by 4.7% in the second quarter and tumbled by a further 7.6% in the third quarter of 2024.

Common robbery declined by 6.0% in the second quarter and also fell by 4.8% in the third quarter.

“House and commercial robberies remain a concern, prompting calls for increased community involvement in crime prevention,” said Hadebe.

Over 3,400 drug-related arrests were effected in the second and third quarter of 2024.  

“While we report a 2.5% increase in murder in the second quarter, we celebrate a remarkable 29.5% decrease in the third quarter. This positive trend is further supported by a 13.2% decrease in attempted murder in the second quarter and a slight reduction of 0.1% in the third quarter which clearly indicate that our strategies are making a significant impact,” said Hadebe.

She also emphasised the importance of community-police collaboration and urged residents to report all criminal activities.

Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye has commended the SA Police Service for their “unwavering commitment” to crime reduction and maintaining peace in the province.

Commenting on the murder rate, Mathye stated that any death through murder is one too much. 

“We note the relative calm in the taxi industry, thanks to the role players being the departmental taxi unit and Santaco. We have learnt that discussions are a solution to conflicts than through the barrel of a gun. 

“We, however, are concerned with the new phenomenon of extortion by the taxi patrollers who force motorists to pay a fee if they are found to be loading passengers," she concluded.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL