Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the most frequently used instrument in committing murders were firearms and they were followed by knives. Picture: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers.
Murders almost doubled and rape cases increased by 26% over the past year in Kraaifontein, according to the latest crime statistics.
According to the statistics, released by the Police Ministry on Friday last week, there were 54 murders in the precinct from the beginning of April to the end of June this year, up 86% from the 29 reported for the same period a year ago.
Kraaifontein was ranked the seventh worst precinct in the province for murder. And it had the ninth-worst murder rate in the country.
Forty-two rape cases were opened at the station during the three months, up from 38 during the same quarter last year. This ranked the precinct among the top-12 in the country and top-three in the province for rape.
The station had the highest number of home robberies in the province, with cases more than doubling from 15 to 36. It ranked 14th in the country for this crime.
And although home burglaries in the precinct dropped 24% from 169 to 129 cases, it still took top spot in the province for this crime and ranked 22nd in the country.
“Crime is generally on the increase, crimes that should worry us most are: murder, rape, hijacking, kidnapping for ransom payments, and extortion,” said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Firearms were the most common weapons used to commit murder, followed by knives, he said.
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition decreased in Kraaifontein from 39 cases last year to 24 cases this year.
Other crimes plaguing the northern suburbs in the reporting period included common robberies and theft in or out of cars.
Common robberies increased from 62 to 69 cases in Goodwood, while they increased from 59 to 70 cases in Bellville.
Theft out of or from motor vehicles increased from 102 to 130 cases in Durbanville but dropped from 216 to 172 cases in Bellville.