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The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Stats SA have released quarterly crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2020/21 period, covering reported criminal activity between July and September 2020.
The data shows a massive increase in criminal activity almost across the board when the figures are compared to the previous quarter (April to June 2020); this is largely due to the fact that the previous quarter occurred during a major lockdown.
Continuous analysis and reports of crimes during the confinement indicated a massive reduction in criminal activity during the initial stages of the confinement, especially the “hard” (level 5) confinement.
This was seen in a 72% reduction in murders and an 81% reduction in vehicle thefts. Similar trends were observed in reports of assaults, attempted murders, robberies and rapes.
However, these trends reversed and slowly returned to normal levels as the lockdown eased. By July, insurers and tracking companies had reported vehicle thefts, and hijack numbers returned to their pre-shutdown levels.
A better reflection of the crime situation in South Africa is a comparison of year-on-year figures. Here, the data shows that criminal activity in South Africa is lower than a year ago, as the country is still under some degree of lockdown.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the second quarter statistics reflect “a South Africa operating under relaxed restrictions under the Disaster Management Act.” However, as restrictions ease and the country returns to normal, the large drops in certain crime categories are expected to ease.
South Africa Crime Statistics for Q2 2020 (July 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020)
| Q1 vs Q2 | Apr – Jun 2020 | July – September 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact offenses | 90 376 | 135 821 | + 50.3% |
| Crimes related to contact | 19 191 | 26991 | + 40.6% |
| Property related crimes | 86 410 | 95516 | + 10.5% |
| Other serious crimes | 266 495 | 352277 | + 32.2% |
| Total public informed | 462 472 | 610 605 | + 32.0% |
| Crime detected as a consequence of police action | 25 093 | 42121 | + 67.9% |
| Total | 487 565 | 652 726 | + 33.9% |
| 2019 vs 2020 | July – September 2019 | July – September 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact offenses | 153650 | 135 821 | -11.6% |
| Crimes related to contact | 28,042 | 26 991 | -3.7% |
| Property related crimes | 117 539 | 95 516 | -18.7% |
| Other serious crimes | 407 303 | 352 277 | -13.5% |
| Total public informed | 706 534 | 610 605 | -13.6% |
| Crime detected as a consequence of police action | 78 779 | 42 121 | -46.5% |
| Total | 785 313 | 652 726 | -16.9% |
- Contact offenses they include murder, attempted murder, and sex crimes, as well as common assault and robbery.
- Crimes related to contact they include arson and intentional property damage.
- Other serious crimes They include commercial crime, shoplifting and all other types of robbery, while aggravated robbery includes kidnappings, residential burglaries, and cash-in-transit and bank robberies.
- Crimes detected as a consequence of police action They cover crimes discovered by active surveillance, such as road blocks and raids. The categories covered by this are illegal possession of firearms, DUI or driving under the influence (of drugs or alcohol); and the use, possession or trade of illegal drugs.
Crime categories
Among the crimes reported by the community, thefts, either in cash in transit or from residential premises, were some of the only crimes that saw an increase during the period. Other crimes that increased include business crimes, car theft, attempted murder, while only one bank robbery was reported.
All other crime categories had fewer reported crimes, again attributed to the country slowly emerging from the blockade, but restrictions still exist.
Notable reductions in burglaries and vehicle thefts were seen, which generally occur when people are away from home.
As we approach the holiday season, criminals are trying to make up for lost time during the ‘crime holidays’ experienced in the first quarter of the financial year. This is demonstrated by the increase in the most feared crimes in the country, which are home robberies.
“While many citizens are still working from home due to the national lockdown, incidents of home invasions have increased by 8.5%. On the other hand, cases of robberies to companies have decreased by the same percentage, ”said Cele.
Criminals’ fight to “catch up” is also reflected in Cash in Transit’s rising robbery numbers, he said.
“It is clear that the armed gangs targeting the cash vans are becoming more desperate and ruthless as the year draws to a close. These criminals stop at nothing to carry out their criminal acts, they often do so in public spaces near innocent bystanders. “
The biggest drops were seen in police-detected crimes, particularly driving under the influence of alcohol and drug-related crimes.
Greater increase to greater decrease in crimes Q2 2020/21
| Category | July – September 2019 | July – September 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank robbery | 0 | 1 | +1 case |
| Theft of cash in transit | 40 | 64 | + 60.0% |
| Truck hijacking | 312 | 411 | + 31.7% |
| Robbery in residential premises | 5 308 | 5 760 | + 8.5% |
| Commercial crime | 21 518 | 21 978 | + 2.1% |
| Attempted murder | 4 856 | 4 941 | + 1.8% |
| Carjacking | 4 882 | 4 803 | -1.6% |
| Malicious damage to property | 26 985 | 26 005 | -3.6% |
| Common assault | 38 993 | 36 851 | -5.5% |
| Theft in non-residential premises | 16 892 | 15 881 | -6.0% |
| Murder | 5 446 | 5 107 | -6.2% |
| Arson | 1 057 | 986 | -6.7% |
| Stock theft | 7 878 | 7 339 | -6.8% |
| Theft in non-residential premises | 5 394 | 4 937 | -8.5% |
| Theft | 15 192 | 13 808 | -9.1% |
| Assault with intent to inflict serious bodily harm | 39 807 | 34 890 | -12.4% |
| Aggravated robbery | 37 617 | 32 745 | -13.0% |
| Sexual offenses | 13 730 | 11 423 | -16.8% |
| Motor vehicle and motorcycle theft | 12 235 | 10 146 | -17.1% |
| All theft not mentioned elsewhere | 71 362 | 58 154 | -18.5% |
| Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition | 4 485 | 3 631 | -19.0% |
| Theft in residential premises | 49 930 | 39 304 | -21.3% |
| Common theft | 13 201 | 9 864 | -25.3% |
| Theft of or a motor vehicle | 30 586 | 22 846 | -25.3% |
| Drug-related offenses | 45 682 | 29 094 | -36.3% |
| Sex crimes discovered as a result of police action | 2 533 | 1 568 | -38.1% |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. | 26 079 | 7 828 | -70.0% |
Read: South Africa Crime Statistics 2020 – Everything You Need To Know
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