Serious crimes drop during 2019 festive season
There was a decline in the number of some serious crimes during the 2019 festive season nationally.
This was revealed by Police Minister, Bheki Cele who reported back on the SAPS Safer Festive Season Campaign.
Speaking in Durban on Tuesday afternoon, he said these past holidays were among the safest in recent years.
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"The national murder rate during this period declined by 1.4% than the comparable time the previous year. All crimes within the Contact Crime category decreased apart from common assault and robbery with aggravating circumstances."
"Women and children were also safer this festive season, with sexual offences which includes crimes such as rapes, sexual assault and attempted sexual offences decreased by 9.9%".
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Cele says alcohol abuse continues to be a contributing factor to crime.
"I must say one thing that we have discovered - alcohol plays a big role as a generator of crime."
