By Lungile Ntimba
The Gauteng legislature’s community safety portfolio committee has praised the province’s law enforcement agencies for a reduction in crime during January to March this year.
However, it is alarmed about the continued killing of police officers and surge in kidnappings.
This follows a presentation of the latest crime statistics to the committee by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni on Thursday.
The province recorded a 7.9% decrease (8393 cases) in the 17 community-reported serious crimes compared to the same period in the previous financial year.
“This represents a significant step forward in the province’s ongoing efforts to combat crime,” committee chairperson Bandile Masuku said in a statement on Friday.
“The committee is particularly encouraged by the 10.8% reduction in murder cases, which reflects the continued commitment of law enforcement agencies and the effectiveness of collaborative crime prevention strategies.”
Despite this progress, the committee raised concerns over the ongoing occurrence of multiple murder incidents, saying such crimes continued to devastate communities.
It highlighted two cases.
In Soshanguve, at the Marry Me informal settlement, seven people were stoned, shot and partially burned following a violent altercation between community patrollers and a security company.
The committee commended the police and the Hawks for their swift response in arresting the alleged perpetrators.
In Kagiso, another incident left seven people dead and three injured after suspects set fire to four vehicles, a shack and a spaza shop, before opening fire indiscriminately on residents.
“These incidents highlight the urgent need for intensified interventions and intelligence-led policing in high-risk areas,” said Masuku.
Reflecting the government’s stance that “crime has no colour in our country”, the committee also noted a reported farm murder, in which an African male was killed during a robbery where livestock was stolen.
A total of 11 police officers were killed – one on duty and 10 off duty.
The committee condemned the attacks, saying violence against police members was an attack on the state and the safety of all citizens.
It also spoke out against a 15.8% hike in kidnapping cases.
“These are often linked to hijackings, robbery, ransom demands, extortion and human trafficking. The safety and freedom of movement of Gauteng residents must be protected with urgency,” Masuku said.
Crime-fighting initiatives such as Operation Shanela were praised. The operation resulted in the arrest of 28,851 suspects, including 8110 undocumented foreign nationals.
“These results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated and sustained enforcement operations,” Masuku said.
“While the committee welcomes the progress made, it emphasises that this is only the beginning. Gauteng must continue to intensify efforts to eradicate criminal activity and build safe, resilient communities where every resident can live free from fear and violence.”
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