Crime Data Shows SA’s Murder Rate On The Rise

Crime Data Shows SAs Murder Rate On The Rise

Crime Trends & Personal Safety

Crime data shows SA’s murder rate is on the rise according to the latest crime statistics shared by the South African Police Service. Hijackers target these types of vehicles in SA according to police recorded crime statistics.

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The latest crime statistics for South Africa cover the second quarter of the 2021/22 year (July to September 2021).

Overall crime levels decreased slightly over the second quarter, compared to the same period in 2020. However, Covid-19 lockdown levels have had an impact on this.

Continuing the data trend the SAPS established in the first-quarter data, the police ministry compared the second-quarter data to ‘normal’ crime trends recorded in the second quarter of 2019.

Year-on-year trends are essentially incomparable, the SAPS said, as lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic created major shifts in criminal behaviour during those periods.

It is evident from the SAPS’ data that as lockdown restrictions and levels ease, criminal activity increases. The Q2 data in 2021 was captured over lockdown levels 3 and 2, while last year over the same period, lockdown levels were lower, at levels 2 and 1.

Despite these caveats, overall contact crimes were flat, up 1% over the period. Murders were up significantly, however, with 6,163 recorded in Q2, versus 5,107 last year – an increase of 20.7%.

The largest increase was seen in contact-related crimes, which were up 7.4% year on year. The SAPS said this was mainly driven by the July riots in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng, which led to a 30.2% increase in cases of arson, and a 6.5% increase in cases of malicious damage to property.

Burglary at non-residential premises – the category that the looting of stores would fall under – also saw a sharp increase at 18.7%, reflecting the rampant theft that took place at many shops over the period.

The main changes are outlined below.

SA crime stats: Q2 2020 vs Q2 2021
2020 vs 2021 Jul-Sep 2020  Jul-Sep 2021 Change
Contact Crimes 135 821 137 145 +1.0%
Contact-related Crimes 26 991 28 988 +7.4%
Property-related Crimes 95 516 89 576 -6.2%
Other Serious Crimes 93 949 94 810 +0.9%
Total public reported 352 277 350 519 -0.5%
Crime detected as a result of police action 18 235 19 083 +4.7%
Total 370 512 369 602 -0.2%
  • Contact crimes include murder, attempted murder and sexual offences, as well as common assault and robbery.
  • Contact-related crimes include arson and malicious injury to property.
  • Other serious crimes include commercial crime, shop-lifting, and other types of theft – while aggravated robbery includes hijackings, robbery at residences, and cash-in-transit heists and bank robberies.
  • Crimes detected as a result of police action cover crimes discovered by active policing, such as roadblocks and raids. This category covers the illegal possession of firearms, DUI or driving under the influence (of drugs or alcohol), and the use, possession or trade of illegal drugs.
 
Biggest increases in crime categories for 1Q21
Category Jul-Sep 2020 Jul-Sep 2021 Change
Arson 986 1 284 +30.2%
Murder 5 107 6 163 +20.7%
Burglary at non-residential premises 15 881 18 776 +18.2%
Commercial crime 21 987 24 613 +11.9%
Malicious injury to property 26 005 27 704 +6.5%
Sexual Offences 11 423 11 964 +4.7%
Attempted murder 4 941 5 157 +4.4%
Drug-related crime 29 094 30 224 +3.9%
Carjacking 4 803 4 973 +3.5%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere 58 154 59 671 +2.6%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm 34 890 35 625 +2.1%
Common assault 36 851 37 137 +0.8%
Bank robbery 1 1 0.0%
Truck hijacking 411 410 -0.2%
Robbery at non-residential premises 4 937 4 867 -1.4%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 7 828 7 649 -2.3%
Common robbery 9 864 9 619 -2.5%
Sexual offences discovered as result of police action 1 568 1 522 -2.9%
Robbery with aggravating circumstances 32 745 31 480 -3.9%
Robbery at residential premises 5 760 5 372 -6.7%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition 3 631 3 355 -7.6%
Burglary at residential premises 39 304 35 949 -8.5%
Stock-theft 7 339 6 663 -9.2%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle 10 146 8 721 -14.0%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle 22 846 19 467 -14.8%
Robbery of cash in transit 64 52 -18.8%
Shoplifting 13 808 10 526 -23.8%

Comparing Q2 to Q2 data from 2019, the crime picture changes significantly for the better, with most crime categories showing a decline.

Stand-out increases are murders, which are up 13.2% compared to 2019, as well as truck hijackings and arson, again related to civil unrest over the 2021 period.

The table above outlines the crime category comparison between Q2 2021, the same period in 2020 and the ‘normal’ period in 2019.

Read Also: These Cars Are At High Risk Of Theft In SA

Article Credit to BusinessTech Lifestyle.

 

What’s your view of the latest crime statistics shared by the South African Police Service? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

Read Also: Vehicle Crime Has Evolved Over The Past 25 Years

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How Many Private Security Guards There Are In South Africa

How Many Private Security Guards There Are In SA

 

Security & Personal Safety Explored

 

By Staff Writer

Here’s how many private security guards there are in South Africa and what they earn. Private security officers in South Africa are paid according to their roles and responsibilities.

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The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority has published illustrative contract pricing guidelines which are set to take effect from March 2022, providing an overview of what security guards can earn in South Africa.

Data from the regulator shows that there are over 2.4 million registered security officers across the country, with just under a million in Gauteng alone. The country has a total of 11,372 registered security businesses.

Being a registered security officer does not equate to employment, and PSIRA’s data shows that far fewer security officers are actively employed (564,540) across the country. The vast majority of these security officers are male (438,015) with just over 200,000 working security guards located in Gauteng alone.

What security guards earn

The new contract circular published by PSIRA this week gives a broad overview of what security guards can earn in South Africa.

However, it should be noted that these are not finalised and that a security guard can earn substantially more depending on which security company they work for.

The wage ranges from R4,805 – R5,986 a month depending on their role and the geographical area they work in. This works out to an annual salary of between R57,660 – R71,832.

Private security officers in South Africa are paid according to the roles and responsibilities they have. Guards are therefore graded between A and E based on the type of duty they perform.

Grade Function
Grade A Primary function would normally be a site manager or commander. Controlling and managing a number of functions. Managing the security workforce. Conducting risk assessments and evaluations on site daily. Basic investigative skills. Problem-solving. Designing security solutions.
Grade B Primary function is access control in high-risk areas where documentation and basic computer skills might be required. A site or shift commander. Managing of lower grade security officers. Possible inspector doing site visits.
Grade C Primary function is access control of a higher risk area and supervision of lower grade security officers
Grade D & E Primary function is access control, or patrol officers

Pay is further separated into regional areas, with more densely populated regions typically paying higher amounts.

Area Covers
Areas 1 & Area 2 Alberton, Bellville, Benoni, Boksburg, Bloemfontein, Brakpan, Camperdown, Chatsworth, Durban, East London, Germiston, Goodwood, Inanda, Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Kimberley, Klerksdorp, Krugersdorp, Kuils River, Mitchell’s Plain, Nigel, Oberholzer, Paarl, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Sasolburg, Simon’s Town, Somerset West, Springs, Stellenbosch, Strand, The Cape, Uitenhage, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Westonaria, Wonderboom and Wynberg
Area 3 All other areas

The rate of pay differs across South Africa in the following brackets.

Security Officer Areas 1 & 2 Area 3
Grade A R5 986 R5 020
Grade B R5 409 R4 605
Grade C, D & E R4 805 R4 567

Article Credit to BusinessTech Lifestyle.

 

What is your view of the number of private security guards in South Africa? Do you think we have enough security guards? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

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Crime Wave To Hit South Africa

Crime Wave To Hit South Africa

Crime Tends, Lifestyle & Personal Safety Explored

 

By Staff Writer

 

Crime wave to hit South Africa warn an analyst from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) due to increased load shedding.

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Speaking to the SABC, the institute’s Dr Johan Burger said house and business robberies are already increasing, and there are fears that the same will happen with other criminal activities.

“Load shedding is just another opportunity which criminals are already exploiting, and they will continue to exploit. We will see a rise in crime such as burglary and other crimes such as house and business robbery. They will be able to follow load shedding schedules.”

Security experts have also warned citizens to expect increased crime in the coming months due to relaxed Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and a busy festive season.

A research assistant at the UCT Centre of Criminology, Annie Kok, said that the number of criminal incidents increased by more than 50% in Q3 and Q4 2020, following a similar easing in restrictions.

Kok said that the only way this can be combatted is through sophisticated intelligence, actionable strategies and coordination of all stakeholders.

Fidelity Services Group chief executive Whal Bartmann said that the company is preparing for increasing incidents, including additional backup forces and air support.

South Africa reported a shock increase in crime statistics in Q1 2021/2022, with a significant increase in cases reported across several crime categories.

Police minister Bheki Cele said that the double-digit increase in most crime categories was attributable to the adjusted lockdown levels and distorted crime trends.

The police minister said that while the country had seen a ‘holiday from crime’ during the higher level 5, 4 and 3 lockdowns, the move to lighter restrictions had led to ‘exaggeratedly high’ crime levels.

“While we will not sweep the high and unnatural figures under the carpet, we will instead bring to the fore a holistic picture of comparing the 2021/2022 Q1 crime figures to a ‘normal period’ two years ago where there was no lockdown.”

Article Credit to BusinessTech Lifestyle.

 

What is your view of the increased load shedding in South Africa? Do you think it will have an impact on you and your family’s safety at home and on the roads? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

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Tips To Prevent Snatching

Tips To Prevent Snatching

Personal Safety Explored

By womenonwheels

We share tips to prevent snatching as summer is upon us, the start of the silly season is imminent and many people might be inclined to let their guard down.

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However, don’t become so festive or relaxed that you become careless about security. It only takes a moment for a mobile phone, wallet or bag to be snatched away in public or in a smash and grab situation. Remain safety conscious by keeping the following tips in mind:

In The Car

A smash and grab robbery is a common technique that criminals employ. These robberies are committed at any time of the day, in busy intersections or quiet streets, when a vehicle is at a standstill or in slow-moving traffic, or when a vehicle is parked. The perpetrators choose spots with easy access and escape and they use the element of surprise to their advantage. On the road, they often work in teams to distract motorists or to inform accomplices positioned down the road of easy targets.

Valuables are better kept out of sight, in the boot or under the seats. While driving, rather stay off your mobile phone until you reach your destination. Not only is it illegal to use your phone while you are driving, but it sets you up as an easy target while your attention is diverted from the road and your surroundings.

Always keep the car doors locked and windows closed. If you need the windows open due to the heat, it is even more important to have your valuables out of sight and reach. With the window open you are more vulnerable to attack and your valuables being snatched from you. You’re an easy target if you’re sitting in your car with the window down and your phone in your hand or pressed to your ear.

“Criminals are most likely to strike when you least expect it, so pay attention no matter where you are for your safety and wellbeing,” says Duma Ngcobo, Chief Operating Officer at Tracker. “Should an incident occur, don’t struggle for your valuables and try to get away as quickly as possible. If you feel that you are likely to be compromised and your valuables snatched from you, consider subscribing to services that will help get you back on track.”

Out And About

No matter where you go or what you do, it’s important to be attentive, so that you don’t miss out on life’s special moments, but also to keep safe. Always be aware of your surroundings while you are out. This will help you to avoid a dangerous situation.

Don’t carry too much cash or valuables on your person and keep these items out of sight. Leave unnecessary bank or store cards at home.

Walking

Whether you’re out on the street or in a mall, be vigilant of who might be watching you or following you. Try to avoid quiet places or spots where someone could be hiding.

If you’re carrying a bag, keep one hand on a strap so that if someone tries to grab it from behind, you still have a hold on it. Also, make sure that all the pockets are properly closed. If you don’t have a bag, keep your wallet or purse and phone in the front pocket of your jacket or trousers. Avoid walking around with your phone in your hand as this makes it easier to snatch. Attackers are relying on you being distracted and vulnerable, so don’t talk on your phone while walking.

Shopping

Inside a mall, avoid darkened hallways and quiet areas, especially near closing time. Avoid using bathrooms that are tucked away in a back area of a mall concourse or department. If you can, find a bathroom near the mall’s food court or other well-trafficked areas. Never leave a bag in a trolley or pram, rather carry it on you. Save your most expensive purchases for last, so you can head straight home.

At A Restaurant

If you have a bag, place it on your lap while at a restaurant or on a bag clip underneath the table, but make sure that you can see it. If you must place it on the floor, put one leg through the strap so that it can’t be taken from you. Also, make sure that no one could subtly reach into a pocket and remove the items stored there. Avoid leaving your phone, wallet or purse on the table while seated. Rather put these items away.

Tables that are on or near a sidewalk are particularly vulnerable spots, as they provide easy access and a quick getaway.

Picture: Women on Wheels gallery

Article Credit to WomanOnWheels.

Have you ever been a victim of snatching? Do you have any advice to share with readers on how to prevent or deal with snatching and do you think the above tips will help people and increase their safety? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.

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