Statistics show a decrease in criminal offences � BPS
Kabelo Boranabi | Wednesday February 18, 2015 16:22
Makgophe said statistics for the year 2014 showed a decline of 1.6% in general crime (penal code and other offences) as compared to 2013. Penal Code offences recorded a 2 percent reduction, whilst other offences showed an increase of 11%.
Makgophe was pleased to report that further analysis of crime returns revealed an overall reduction in violent and serious crime, at 6.6 percent. These offences included break-ins (burglary, store break-in and house break-in), robbery, murder, rape, theft of motor vehicle, threat to kill, and stock theft.
The crimes that recorded increases under this category are theft of motor vehicles and murder.
“Detection of road traffic violations had increased by 15% in 2014 as compared to 2013. The increase could reasonably be attributed to strengthened law enforcement.
This has translated into 14% reduction in road traffic accidents and 8.3% reduction in road fatalities, 377 deaths in 2014 as compared to 411 in 2013,” he said.
The Minister of Justice, Defence and Security, Shaw Kgathi admitted that policing challenges were diverse and complex. He also said approving several important pieces of legislation, would help facilitate in law enforcement.
These include Counter Terrorism Act, Anti Human Trafficking Act, Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act, Forensic Procedures Act, Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act, and Electronic Records Act.
Kgathi assured the officers that since there was a slight improvement in the country’s economy, their grievances such as salary increment will be assessed.
The conference, held under the theme, “ Strategising for 2015 and beyond” started yesterday, and ends on Friday. Over 130 senior officials representing all BPS districts have attended the event.