Durban - The annual crime statistics released on Tuesday morning has painted a bleak picture of crime trends across the country. The stats, released in Parliament, showed an increase in crimes committed against women and children. Latest figures also showed that 691 boys were victims of murder in the 2017/18 financial year. This is an increase of 20.4%.
#CrimeStats Major General Sekhukhune says 294 girls fell victim to murder during, an increase of 10.9%
691 boys were victims of murder during the 2017/18 financial year (up 20.4% increase).
He says 2930 women were murdered during the period under review (up 11%) pic.twitter.com/aGAxO1ogrD
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) September 11, 2018
In a recent case that has gripped the country, 10-year-old Miguel Louw was allegedly kidnapped and a body believed to be his, found in a shallow grave in Phoenix.
According to the latest figures (from April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018) there was a marked increase in crimes committed against women. Last year's stats showed that there was a total on 173 405 cases of murder, sexual offences, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault reported with this year showing a noted increase by 4 215.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson on community safety and liaison in KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Rishigen Viranna, has lambasted the government for failing to protect women and children. He was reacting to the release of the latest crime statistics, which were read out in Parliament on Tuesday.
Viranna said the stats painted a shocking picture in KZN with the province once again being dubbed the 'murder capital' of the country and the highest number of women and children reported killed in the entire country.
"We are deeply disturbed by these horrific figures. They point to a province under siege with a theme of violent crime, in particular against women and children. KZN residents continue to live in a war zone," he said.