Mfuleni was the least safe place in the country during the third quarter of 2022/2023, that is according to the latest crime statistics by Police Minister Bheki Cele.
The shocking news was divulged by Cele on Friday 17 February.
According to the figures, the area showed an increase in murders between October and December last year. There were also significant jumps in rape and other serious contact crimes throughout the country.
Cele said 7 555 murders were reported during the period under review. This equates to 82 murders a day, up from 74 a day during the same period the previous year.
Mfuleni registered 89 murders compared to 57 the previous year. Out of the top 30 stations in the country, Western Cape had eight. These include Delft (position three), Nyanga (five), Kraaifontein (seven), Harare (eight), Gugulethu (15), Mitchell’s Plain (27) and Khayelitsha (28).
Cele said 3 144 people were killed with a firearm.
“2 498 people were killed with other weapons such as knives, sharp and blunt instruments, bricks and in many cases bare hands. It is clear, a broader conversation must be heard about what is at the heart of violent crime in the country,” he said.
“Gun violence is problematic and poses a serious threat to lives and livelihoods. With the analysis of the current and previous statistics, it is quite evident that firearms are only part of a bigger problem,” said Cele.
He said it was alarming that a total of 5 935 rape incidents happened at the residence of the perpetrator/victim, including residents known by victims/perpetrator, these are family, friends and neighbours.
