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Tue, Oct 21, 2025

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Murder and rape remain a concern in FS and NC

Murder and rape remain a concern in FS and NC

By: Abigail Visagie and Boipelo Mere

While the latest statistics have shown significant progress in crime fighting, with a decrease in most major crime categories recorded in the fourth quarter of the previous financial year, murder and rape cases remain a thorn in many people’s sides.
Despite the slight reduction of murder cases in the Free State, Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane says the men and women in blue continue to battle a high number of rape and contact sexual offense cases.
Motswenyane presented the provincial quarterly crime statistics on Tuesday in Bloemfontein, covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2025, which reflect both encouraging improvements and areas requiring intensified efforts.He said while the crime statistics came out positively well, there was an increased rate from 716 to 724 of reported rape and contact sexual offense cases in the province.
“These eight reported cases highlighted that more initiatives should be created to combat Gender Based Violence and Femicide, a matter the SAPS and Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport are looking into,” said Motswenyane.
She attributed the reduction in most major crime categories to the police force’s dedication and successful implementation of Operation Shanela, a flagship that was launched to not only combat crime but to also restore safety within different communities in the country.
Meanwhile, Motswenyane’s counterpart in the Northern Cape Province, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola – alongside Premier Zamani Saul – on Tuesday released the shocking statistics reflecting a 23.2% increase in murder cases.
Otola said this has been recorded as the highest increase over the past five years.
“The increase was recorded in ZF Mgcawu District, John Taolo Gaetsewe, and Pixley ka Seme Districts, contributing to the province’s 23.2% increase in murder cases with a total of 21 more cases. ZF Mgcawu District recorded the highest count of 25.0%, followed by John Taolo Gaetsewe with 22.3%, and Pixley ka Seme at 17.9%. Namakwa District recorded 7.1% fewer cases, while the Francis Baard recorded 27.7%, indicating no change,” said Otola.
She said most of the murder incidents happen due to arguments, misunderstandings, road rage, and provocation at public places, recreational centers, and residences of either the victim or the perpetrator.
“At least 54% of the reported murder cases are connected to knife stabbings as a weapon, while four cases were that of a firearm used as a weapon to kill,” he said.
The provinces have recorded only two farm murder incidents reported in Augrabies and Rosendale.

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