Crime stats: KZN sees decrease in murder, rape
The number of reported murders, rapes, and robberies with aggravating circumstances decreased in KwaZulu-Natal between October and December 2023, according to the latest crime statistics.
Minister of Police Bheki Cele on Friday released the quarterly crime figures in Pretoria.
Cele said nationally, a total of 7,710 murders were reported in the third quarter, an increase of 2.1 per cent.
"The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State must be singled out and commended for being able to register a reduction in the number of people murdered during this period."
He said although KZN registered fewer murder cases, the province still dominated the top 30 stations.
KZN registered 1,649 murders, 172 less than the same period the previous year, while sexual offences were down 199 from 2,822. Robbery with aggravating circumstances cases were 6,769, which was a decrease of 166.
The Inanda police station topped the list of most reported murders with 93 cases, while the Umlazi police station came in ninth with 59 cases.
Sexual offence-related crimes dropped by 1.7 per cent nationally, with KZN being among six provinces that recorded a decline in rape cases.
"What is most encouraging is that Inanda which has always been known as the rape capital of the country, has also seen a slight reduction in the number of rape cases by registering twenty counts lower than the same period under review," said Cele.
Durban Central Police Station pulled in fifth on the top 30 list for robbery with aggravating circumstances, which includes carjacking, robbery at non-residential premises and robbery at residential premises cases reported at police stations.
Other contact crimes such as attempted murder, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, common assault and common robbery all increased in KZN.
There were also more sexual assault and attempted sexual assault cases in KZN, while trio crimes decreased.
Some of the crimes that also increased in KZN include residential burglary, stock theft, commercial crime, shoplifting, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
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