By Alicia Mmashakana
The Gauteng legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety praised the province’s law enforcement agencies for the recent overall decrease in crime.
“The decrease in the overall crime statistics… reflects a positive step towards ensuring safer communities across the province,” committee chairperson Bandile Masuku said on Monday.
There was a 4.5% decrease in overall crime in the first quarter of this financial year.
According to the police, 65,445 were arrested during the period, and included 11,688 illegal immigrants.
“Notably, to the committee the province also reduced 16 of the 17 community reported crimes, a remarkable achievement for Gauteng residents. Additionally, a total of 1492 firearms and 1968kg of drugs were recovered, contributing towards a safer environment,” Masuku said.
Community crimes range from murder and rape to assault and shoplifting.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni told the committee on Friday that arson and malicious damage to property both decreased by 7.5%.
Property-related crime, including residential and business burglary, vehicle theft and stock theft, decreased by 6.7%.
“During the same period police managed to secure 37 life sentences and an additional 1,827 years of imprisonment. This includes 26 life sentences for sexual offences, nine life sentences for murder and significant convictions for infrastructure-related crimes,” Mthombeni said.
Although the committee acknowledged the achievements, it remained mindful of findings in the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey 2023/24, which found that many South Africans believed more needed to be done in the fight against crime.
“This concern is valid, and the committee shares the public sentiment that crime continues to pose as a significant challenge,” said Masuku.
“We reaffirm our commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to further ensure the reduction of crime and improve community safety in Gauteng and urge law enforcement agencies in the province to maintain and build on this progress.”
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