The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety welcomes the presentation of the 3rd Quarter Crime Statistics for the 2024/25 Financial Year by the Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni, presented before the Committee on Friday, 7 March 2025.
The report reflects a significant decrease of 6.5%, equivalent to 7,563 counts, compared to the same period in the 2023/24 Financial Year.
This reduction is particularly noteworthy given that this period coincides with the festive season, which is traditionally characterized by a spike in criminal activity.
The Committee commends the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, various law enforcement agencies, and all stakeholders for their collective efforts in achieving this notable decrease. This progress is a step in the right direction toward ensuring that all residents of Gauteng are and feel safe.
The Committee also acknowledges the impact of targeted police operations, such as Operation Shanela, which has resulted in the arrest of 34,910 suspects during this period. These arrests include 140 for murder and 114 for attempted murder, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts.
While the overall crime rate has decreased, the Committee notes with concern the persistent challenges in certain crime categories. Murder cases decreased by 2.6%, with 1,741 cases reported compared to 1,787 in the previous year. However, attempted murder saw a 2.4% increase, with 43 more cases than the previous year. Rape cases decreased by 5.8%, with 141 fewer cases reported. Additionally, the category of other serious crimes, which includes theft, commercial crimes, and shoplifting, decreased by 3.8% compared to the same period in the 2023/24 Financial Year.
Despite these positive trends, the Committee remains deeply concerned about high-profile crime incidents, such as the shooting at a restaurant in Sandton this past Thursday, where a businessman and his bodyguards were shot and killed following an alleged altercation with security personnel. Such incidents undermine public confidence and paint a negative picture of crime levels in the province, even as overall crime rates continue to decline.
The Committee reiterates its stance on the concerning practice of private individuals moving around with armed private security personnel, often carrying high caliber automatic rifles.
This practice has escalated to dangerous levels, posing a risk to public safety rather than enhancing it. The Committee calls on the security sector to urgently explore regulatory measures to address this issue in the best interest of the safety and well-being of all residents.
In conclusion, while the Committee welcomes the progress reflected in the 3rd Quarter Crime Statistics, it emphasizes the need for sustained and intensified efforts to address persistent challenges.
The Committee remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Gauteng becomes a safer place for all who live, work, and visit.
ISSUED BY GPL’S MEDIA SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY SAFETY, HONOURABLE BANDILE MASUKU
