Gauteng: The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has commended law enforcement officers from across the province for their hard work, which has contributed to a reduction in crime during the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
According to South African Government News Agency, Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni presented the provincial statistics and indicated a 7.9% decrease in community-reported serious crimes over the same period last year. This represents a significant step forward in the province’s ongoing efforts to combat crime. 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.
However, concern about the ongoing occurrence of multiple murder incidents, which continue to devastate communities, remains. The committee cited two violent incidents in Soshanguve, where victims were stoned, shot, and partially burnt, and in Kagiso, where seven people were found dead. In line with the government’s stance that crime has no color in the country, the committee also notes a reported farm murder during the period. In this case, an African male was killed during a robbery in which livestock, including cows, goats, and sheep, were stolen. Such acts of violence are unacceptable in any context.
The committee is gravely alarmed by the continued killing of police officers. Eleven officers lost their lives during the quarter-one while on duty and ten off-duty. The committee strongly condemns these attacks, emphasizing that violence against law enforcement is an attack on the state and the safety of all citizens.
On a downturn, a decrease in sexual violence crimes and a reduction in robbery with aggravating circumstances are considered positive developments. Encouragingly, incidents of sexual violence declined by 2.1%. While this decrease is acknowledged, the committee stresses that more must be done to significantly reduce such crimes and to protect the dignity and safety of women and children across Gauteng.
The 8.9% reduction in robbery with aggravating circumstances is another positive development. However, the committee is increasingly concerned about the 15.8% rise 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.
The committee applauds the success of crime-fighting initiatives such as Operation Shanela, which resulted in the arrest of 28,851 suspects, including 8,110 undocumented foreign nationals. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated and sustained enforcement operations. While the committee welcomes the progress made, it emphasizes 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.