The DA in Limpopo is gravely concerned by the high number of sexual offences registered in Limpopo, revealed by the SAPS 2023/24 second quarter crime statistics.
During the period 1 July to 30 September 2024, 1091, sexual offences cases, including rape, sexual assault and contact sexual offences, were reported to SAPS and 1211 sexual offences were detected as a result of police action; this is a year-on-year increase of 225.
Alarmingly, the second quarter statistics reveal a 1211 increase in sexual offences reported at SAPS and detected by SAPS compared to the first quarter.
These statistics translates to 25 victims of sexual offences in Limpopo daily; mostly women and children who face devastating and enduring effects of their ordeals.
Limpopo had three police stations namely Mankweng, Thohoyandou and Seshego ranked in the top 30 stations nationwide for sexual offences, with Thohoyandou ranked 3rd, Mankweng ranked 7th, and Seshego ranked 8th .
It is unacceptable that these police stations are a recurring feature on the country’s top 30 rape and sexual offences list quarter after quarter.
The sustained large numbers of sexual offences prove that the SAPS and Limpopo provincial government are still failing to keep residents safe in their communities. There is a need for a concerted effort and greater resources to address the high numbers of sexual offences, not just mere lips service.
Kidnapping in Limpopo remains shockingly high. 151 people were kidnapped, an increase 38.5% since the same period last year.
Stock theft increased by 24 incidents to 603 from the previous quarter. Stock theft debilitates small scale farming and cause great damage to breeding stock of commercial farmers which result in huge financial losses.
Limpopo recorded a 6.5% increase in burglary at residential premises and Mankweng ranks 1st nationwide, Seshego ranked 8th and Thohoyandou ranked 5th and 2nd for burglaries at non-residential premises.
Thohoyandou, Polokwane and Mankweng also ranks on the top 30 stations for the 17 community-reported serious crimes, sexual assault, and contact crime.
This highlights not only the lack of support and resources at these stations to improve their response but also the lack of political backbone to address crimes that cause people to live in fear.
The DA is committed to ensuring that the provincial government and SAPS are held accountable in addressing the current unacceptable culture of sexual offences and heinous homes invasions in the province.