KWAZULU-NATAL is home to some of the most dangerous places in the country, according to the latest crime statistics released last week.
Inanda, Phoenix, Umlazi, Durban Central, KwaMashu, KwaDukuza, and Plessislaer have consistently reported high levels of violent crime, causing concern among citizens and authorities alike.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu described the figures as “sobering”, while emphasising the devastating impact of crime on communities nationwide. The statistics indicate a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity, as criminal activities continue to wreak havoc across the country.
Willem Els, a representative from the Institute for Security Studies, highlighted South Africa’s concerning position in global crime rankings. According to the Enact Organised Crime Index, South Africa ranks third out of 54 African countries and seventh globally in terms of criminality. Moreover, the Mafia Index places South Africa in the upper quadrant, alongside countries such as Italy, Mexico and Colombia, further underscoring the severity of the situation.
Between April and June, the country witnessed 6198 murders and 11 566 reported sexual offences. Additionally, there were 39 738 cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and 42 858 instances of common assault. The prevalence of rape and sexual assault is particularly alarming, with 9309 and 1469 cases reported, respectively, during the same period.
Inanda and Umlazi emerged as areas of significant concern, recording the third and fifth-highest number of contact crimes in the country, with 936 and 842 cases, respectively. Nyanga, Inanda, and Umlazi also featured prominently in the national rankings for murder, with 79, 76 and 71 murders committed, respectively. Plessislaer followed closely behind, ranking 13th nationally with 43 murders.
The statistics further revealed that Umlazi, Inanda, and Verulam had the highest number of attempted murder cases, while Inanda, Umlazi, Mountain Rise and Plessislaer were among the top ten for sexual offences.
Inanda reported the highest number of rapes during the reporting period, with 77 cases. KwaZulu-Natal dominated the top ten for sexual assault cases, with Port Shepstone, Chatsworth, Mountain Rise, KwaDukuza, Verulam, and Umlazi all featuring prominently.
While the statistics provide a snapshot of the crime situation, Els cautioned that they might not capture the full extent of the problem. Crimes such as kidnapping for ransom often go unreported, and there’s a concern that some police officers may under-report cases to maintain a favourable image of their areas of responsibility.
Despite the challenges, Els said he was optimistic about Mchunu’s priorities, which include curbing murders and rapes, addressing corruption within the police force and fostering strong leadership. He commended KZN police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for his efforts in tackling crime in the province.
Community policing forums (CPFs) play a crucial role in combating crime. Dr Ephraim Zungu, chairperson of the KwaDukuza CPF, highlighted the impact of the construction mafia, and the influx of undocumented foreigners, on crime rates in the area.
“KwaDukuza is a corridor between our neighbouring countries Mozambique and Swaziland. A lot of undocumented foreigners, their first stop is KwaDukuza, and we've seen that drugs are now on the increase because of being in that belt.”
Zungu said there was an alarming spike in gender-based violence and murders because of the fast-growing population in KwaDukuza.
He said murders had also increased, especially during housebreakings and robberies.
Valencia Pillay, the public relations officer for the Phoenix CPF, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the police, security companies and the community. She acknowledged the challenges posed by limited police resources and the growing population.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda urged communities to actively participate in CPFs, report suspicious activities and refrain from harbouring criminals. He also highlighted the increasing trend of criminals resisting arrest and engaging in shoot-outs with the police.