15% increase in murder in Kraaifontein

AHEAD of the release of the Quarterly Provincial police crime statistics, EMS reveals that more than 2 000 people have been shot with firearms in the Western Cape since January, averaging close to 413 a month and nearly 13 per day, with over 343 victims this month alone.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA and SIBULELE KASA

Kraaifontein has seen six more murders in the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year. According to crime statistics released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday, murder cases increased by 15%, from 39 cases last year to 45 this year.

Kraaifontein ranks in the top five in the province and ninth in the country for murder. It is also third in the province and 18th in the country for rape cases, which dropped by 2% from 46 cases last year to 45 this year.

Mchunu said that firearms remain the most frequently used instruments for murder, followed by knives.

"One of our stated priorities is the reduction of illegal firearms and tightening control over legally owned firearms. In the quarter under review, 4 023 cases of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition were registered — a 2.7% increase compared to the same period last year," he said. Police destroyed 16 049 firearms in February and seized 1 641 illegal firearms and 24 288 rounds of ammunition during this reporting period.