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"title": "Minister Mchunu's grim SA crime stats after WC police shootout call for urgent action on extortion, murder, kidnapping rates",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An operation by a Western Cape task team on Thursday night, following intelligence about wanted alleged extortionists, resulted in a shootout between police and the suspects, who were driving a minibus in Milnerton.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Western Cape Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, four suspects were killed in the shootout, while four others were seriously injured. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The wounded suspects, all Cape Town residents aged 23, 30, 34 and 38, respectively, are being guarded by police in a medical facility. Four firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized from the suspects’ vehicle, Potelwa added.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to this incident, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had to make last-minute changes to his speech. Mchunu confirmed that police opened fire on four suspected extortionists in Milnerton, killing them; four other suspects were injured. He believes these individuals were on their way to commit a mass shooting, as a number of firearms and ammunition were seized.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Friday, the Police Minister released crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2023/2024 (1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024) and the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024/2025 (1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was accompanied by Deputy Ministers of Police Cassel Mathale, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioners in attendance, Special Adviser to the Minister Advocate Vusi Pikoli, and Thulani Sibuyi, Director-General of the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The crime statistics released paint a bleak picture, with a total of 6,198 murders reported across the country between April 2024 and June 2024. The stations with the most murders are Nyanga, Inanda, Umlazi, Khayelitsha and Harare. Of the 270 gang murders reported during the three-month period, 234 occurred in the Western Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rape crimes have increase from 9,252 t0 9,309.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/top-30-murder-stations/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2339674\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Top-30-murder-stations.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1860\" height=\"894\" /></a> <em>Top 30 Murder Stations. (Image: Supplied)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/kidnappings-extortion/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2339673\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kidnappings-extortion.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1816\" height=\"729\" /></a> <em>Kidnappings/Extortions. (Image: Supplied)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding reported kidnappings, there were 135 ransom demands, 30 extortion-related, and eight human trafficking, with Gauteng and KZN accounting for 81 and 15 cases, respectively.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The crime statistics numbers tell a sobering story, reflecting the severity of the challenges we face. These numbers represent more than just figures on a page; they reflect the lived realities of our citizens — their fears, their losses and their hopes for a safer tomorrow. The data are a stark reminder of the urgent need for action,” said the minister. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are confronted with a crisis that threatens the safety of our communities and undermines the stability of our nation. Contact crimes, in particular, are wreaking havoc and instilling fear. This is unacceptable, and we must confront this challenge with unwavering resolve and strategic precision,” said the minister.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Extortion high on the agenda</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to crime stats, a total of 4,205 kidnappings were reported between April 2024 and June 20024 compared with 3,854 the same period last year. A total of 1,739 were registered in Gauteng, 662 in Kwazulu-Natal, 223 in Western Cape and 175 in the Eastern Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extortion is on the rise throughout the country, and following a shootout between police and alleged extortionists in Milnerton on Thursday night, the Police Minister issued a strong warning.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We do want to warn extortionists we are on the lookout for them, we want to identify them, arrest them and bring them to justice. We want to warn them not to resist arrest when called upon to stop by police,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He emphasised the deployment of specialised units in response to crime levels. Mthatha and Gqeberha, which specialise in extortion, are working to reduce crime rates, particularly extortion.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday, 20 August, N</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ational Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said that “multidisciplinary teams” have been deployed to prevent, combat, investigate, and arrest those behind gang violence and extortion in the Eastern Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This targeted intervention aims to address specific challenges and bring relief to communities experiencing heightened crime rates</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-20-high-ranking-cops-sent-to-nelson-mandela-bay-as-bloodbath-continues/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“High-ranking cops sent to Nelson Mandela Bay as bloodbath continues”</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick also reported that</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> extortion is forcing construction projects to a halt, leaving scores of people waiting for homes, various forms of transport are affected, and businesses and schools have had to close, with school children among those targeted.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-24-police-and-business-turn-the-screws-on-extortion-mafia-terrorising-all-corners-of-sa/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Police and business turn the screws on extortion mafia terrorising all corners of SA”</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The minister went on to say that carjackings have increased in the Eastern and Western Cape, with sedans, hatchbacks and coupes being the most hijacked vehicles, with Nyanga Police Station having had the most number of reported carjacking cases, while the Kwazakele Police Station in Gqeberha registered 81 cases of carjackings.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Firearm choice of murder weapon</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Police Minister, four of the nine provinces recorded increases in murder cases, with the highest increase recorded in the Western Cape, followed by North West, then the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Police Minister, the top 30 stations for murder were in only four provinces, namely Western Cape (11 stations), KwaZulu-Natal (eight), Eastern Cape (six) and Gauteng (five). Nyanga is the capital murder station followed by Inanda, Umlazi, Khayelitsha and Harare. Of the 270 gang murders recorded during the three-month period, 234 were in the Western Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The most frequently used instruments in committing murders were firearms, particularly in KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Firearms are then followed by knives and sharp objects. Knives were the preferred weapon of choice to commit murder in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape,” he added.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also highlighted police killings. A total number of 21 officers were killed in the first quarter (16 off-duty and five on-duty officers), with the largest number of officers being from the Eastern Cape (five), KZN (four), Western Cape (four).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are approaching the month of September, which is a month of dual significance in our calendar as the SAPS. It is not only a time for us to remember our fallen heroes but also Police Safety Month – a crucial period where we emphasise the importance of safeguarding our own members. We will ensure that our personnel receive the support and resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively. Their courage and resilience must be matched by our commitment to their safety,” the minister explained.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Police Ministry priorities</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High on the Police Minister’s priority list for combating crime in South Africa is to protect and restore citizens’ sense of safety.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The professionalisation of the SAPS and uprooting of corruption within the SAPS remains a challenge, and here Mchunu said: “We are committed to enhancing the professionalism of the South African Police Service (SAPS). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This entails rigorous training, a clear code of conduct, and a culture of excellence. Our officers must be equipped not only with the best practices but also with the highest standards of ethical behaviour. There are a number of recent criminal activities, which have featured the involvement of police members – understand us to be saying, no corruption of any kind will be tolerated within the SAPS throughout the various ranks.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mchunu said, in our fight against crime, SAPS technology is a critical ally, adding they are investing in advanced tools and systems that enhance our investigative capabilities, and improve our response times.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Our crime intelligence capabilities are being strengthened to provide better insights and strategic advantages in the fight against criminal networks. Enhanced intelligence is key to anticipating and countering criminal activities before they escalate,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To the people of South Africa, he said: “I assure you, we are unwavering in our commitment to fight crime and restore safety. We will not rest until every South African can walk the streets without fear. To our police officers, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your dedication, bravery and commitment are the bedrock of our efforts.” </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An operation by a Western Cape task team on Thursday night, following intelligence about wanted alleged extortionists, resulted in a shootout between police and the suspects, who were driving a minibus in Milnerton.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Western Cape Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, four suspects were killed in the shootout, while four others were seriously injured. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The wounded suspects, all Cape Town residents aged 23, 30, 34 and 38, respectively, are being guarded by police in a medical facility. Four firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized from the suspects’ vehicle, Potelwa added.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to this incident, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had to make last-minute changes to his speech. Mchunu confirmed that police opened fire on four suspected extortionists in Milnerton, killing them; four other suspects were injured. He believes these individuals were on their way to commit a mass shooting, as a number of firearms and ammunition were seized.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Friday, the Police Minister released crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2023/2024 (1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024) and the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024/2025 (1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was accompanied by Deputy Ministers of Police Cassel Mathale, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioners in attendance, Special Adviser to the Minister Advocate Vusi Pikoli, and Thulani Sibuyi, Director-General of the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The crime statistics released paint a bleak picture, with a total of 6,198 murders reported across the country between April 2024 and June 2024. The stations with the most murders are Nyanga, Inanda, Umlazi, Khayelitsha and Harare. Of the 270 gang murders reported during the three-month period, 234 occurred in the Western Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rape crimes have increase from 9,252 t0 9,309.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2339674\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1860\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/top-30-murder-stations/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2339674\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Top-30-murder-stations.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1860\" height=\"894\" /></a> <em>Top 30 Murder Stations. (Image: Supplied)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2339673\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1816\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/kidnappings-extortion/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-2339673\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Kidnappings-extortion.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1816\" height=\"729\" /></a> <em>Kidnappings/Extortions. (Image: Supplied)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarding reported kidnappings, there were 135 ransom demands, 30 extortion-related, and eight human trafficking, with Gauteng and KZN accounting for 81 and 15 cases, respectively.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The crime statistics numbers tell a sobering story, reflecting the severity of the challenges we face. These numbers represent more than just figures on a page; they reflect the lived realities of our citizens — their fears, their losses and their hopes for a safer tomorrow. The data are a stark reminder of the urgent need for action,” said the minister. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are confronted with a crisis that threatens the safety of our communities and undermines the stability of our nation. Contact crimes, in particular, are wreaking havoc and instilling fear. This is unacceptable, and we must confront this challenge with unwavering resolve and strategic precision,” said the minister.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Extortion high on the agenda</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to crime stats, a total of 4,205 kidnappings were reported between April 2024 and June 20024 compared with 3,854 the same period last year. A total of 1,739 were registered in Gauteng, 662 in Kwazulu-Natal, 223 in Western Cape and 175 in the Eastern Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extortion is on the rise throughout the country, and following a shootout between police and alleged extortionists in Milnerton on Thursday night, the Police Minister issued a strong warning.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We do want to warn extortionists we are on the lookout for them, we want to identify them, arrest them and bring them to justice. We want to warn them not to resist arrest when called upon to stop by police,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He emphasised the deployment of specialised units in response to crime levels. Mthatha and Gqeberha, which specialise in extortion, are working to reduce crime rates, particularly extortion.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday, 20 August, N</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ational Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said that “multidisciplinary teams” have been deployed to prevent, combat, investigate, and arrest those behind gang violence and extortion in the Eastern Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This targeted intervention aims to address specific challenges and bring relief to communities experiencing heightened crime rates</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more</b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-20-high-ranking-cops-sent-to-nelson-mandela-bay-as-bloodbath-continues/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“High-ranking cops sent to Nelson Mandela Bay as bloodbath continues”</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick also reported that</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> extortion is forcing construction projects to a halt, leaving scores of people waiting for homes, various forms of transport are affected, and businesses and schools have had to close, with school children among those targeted.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more:</b> <a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-24-police-and-business-turn-the-screws-on-extortion-mafia-terrorising-all-corners-of-sa/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Police and business turn the screws on extortion mafia terrorising all corners of SA”</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The minister went on to say that carjackings have increased in the Eastern and Western Cape, with sedans, hatchbacks and coupes being the most hijacked vehicles, with Nyanga Police Station having had the most number of reported carjacking cases, while the Kwazakele Police Station in Gqeberha registered 81 cases of carjackings.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Firearm choice of murder weapon</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Police Minister, four of the nine provinces recorded increases in murder cases, with the highest increase recorded in the Western Cape, followed by North West, then the Eastern Cape and Limpopo. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Police Minister, the top 30 stations for murder were in only four provinces, namely Western Cape (11 stations), KwaZulu-Natal (eight), Eastern Cape (six) and Gauteng (five). Nyanga is the capital murder station followed by Inanda, Umlazi, Khayelitsha and Harare. Of the 270 gang murders recorded during the three-month period, 234 were in the Western Cape.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The most frequently used instruments in committing murders were firearms, particularly in KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Firearms are then followed by knives and sharp objects. Knives were the preferred weapon of choice to commit murder in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape,” he added.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also highlighted police killings. A total number of 21 officers were killed in the first quarter (16 off-duty and five on-duty officers), with the largest number of officers being from the Eastern Cape (five), KZN (four), Western Cape (four).</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We are approaching the month of September, which is a month of dual significance in our calendar as the SAPS. It is not only a time for us to remember our fallen heroes but also Police Safety Month – a crucial period where we emphasise the importance of safeguarding our own members. We will ensure that our personnel receive the support and resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively. Their courage and resilience must be matched by our commitment to their safety,” the minister explained.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Police Ministry priorities</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High on the Police Minister’s priority list for combating crime in South Africa is to protect and restore citizens’ sense of safety.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The professionalisation of the SAPS and uprooting of corruption within the SAPS remains a challenge, and here Mchunu said: “We are committed to enhancing the professionalism of the South African Police Service (SAPS). </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This entails rigorous training, a clear code of conduct, and a culture of excellence. Our officers must be equipped not only with the best practices but also with the highest standards of ethical behaviour. There are a number of recent criminal activities, which have featured the involvement of police members – understand us to be saying, no corruption of any kind will be tolerated within the SAPS throughout the various ranks.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mchunu said, in our fight against crime, SAPS technology is a critical ally, adding they are investing in advanced tools and systems that enhance our investigative capabilities, and improve our response times.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Our crime intelligence capabilities are being strengthened to provide better insights and strategic advantages in the fight against criminal networks. Enhanced intelligence is key to anticipating and countering criminal activities before they escalate,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To the people of South Africa, he said: “I assure you, we are unwavering in our commitment to fight crime and restore safety. We will not rest until every South African can walk the streets without fear. To our police officers, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your dedication, bravery and commitment are the bedrock of our efforts.” </span><b>DM</b>",
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"summary": "Police Minister Senzo Mchunu released crime statistics on Friday, following a shootout between police and alleged extortionists in Milnerton on Thursday night. According to police, four people were killed and four injured, and the group was allegedly on its way to commit a mass killing.\r\n",
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Top 30 Murder Stations. (Image: Supplied)
Kidnappings/Extortions. (Image: Supplied)