Knysna murder rate by 52
Knysna’s murder rate has increased by 52% in the period April 2019 to March 2020 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the latest crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele last Friday.
In the Knysna policing area, murders were up from 19 in 2018/2019 to 26 in 2019/2020.
Total sexual offences increased by 23 to 144, up from 121. Attempted murder cases are the same at 24, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm dropped by 87 from 553 to 466, and robbery with aggravating circumstances increased by 16 from 181 to 197. Common assault decreased by 55 from 609 to 554 while common robbery increased by 20 from 110 to 130.
Under property-related crimes, burglaries at nonresidential premises went down from 19 to 14 while burglaries at residential premises decreased by 18 from 39 to 21. There were three cases of carjacking in Knysna during the 2019/20 period compared to zero the previous year, zero truck hijackings, and stock theft showed a decrease from 4 incidents to 1.
Theft from motor vehicles was up to 418 cases from 386.
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition went down from 9 to 3 cases, and drug-related crimes increased from 703 to 753. Commercial crime decreased by 8 to 164. Driving under the influence increased from 231 to 335.
Plettenberg Bay
In Plettenberg Bay, the murder remained at 11, sexual offences decreased from 61 to 53 and attempted murder increased from 4 to 7. Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm went up from 231 to 244, common assault decreased from 209 to 200 and common robbery went down from 41 to 36.
The number of robberies at non-residential premises increased from 9 to 10 but decreased at residential premises from 17 to 12.
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition declined by 4 from 6 and drug-related crimes went down from 251 to 183. Carjacking remained at zero.
Burglary at residential premises increased from 317 to 390. Knysna Community Police Forum chair Cheryl Britz said Knysna CPF and affiliated neighbourhood watch structures continue to have a good working relationship with Knysna police and all law enforcement agencies.
“Although Covid-19 had an impact on our weekly partnership meetings, the role players have adapted by using new and existing platforms to alert, engage and to stay informed,” she said.
“Crime prevention needs community involvement and the CPF is therefore most appreciative of the strong inclusive partnership afforded by the police and all role players.”
When asked for comment, Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said the respective police stations will do proper analyses of the statistics as released by Cele. “Only thereafter, we might be in a position to respond to specific queries,” he said.
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News