Sexual offences increase by 1.7%

The Minister said certain categories of sexual offences recorded a decrease while other categories are on the increase.

The crime statistics show that cases of attempted sexual offences decreased as in 2018/2019 a total of 2 146 cases were reported while 2 076 cases were reported in 2019/2020.

Figures for contact sexual offences show that in 2018/2019 a total of 1 254 cases were reported and in 2019/2020 the number of cases stood at 1 179.

Cases of rape increased by 706. In 2018/2019, a total of 41 583 rape cases were reported while in 2019/2020 the number of cases stood at 42 289.

A total of 7 437 sexual assault cases were reported in 2018/2019 and 7 749 cases were reported in 2019/2020.

The Minister expressed concern at the number of sexual violence cases being reported at educational institutions. “It is of concern that educational institutions are becoming hotbeds for sexual violence, 380 cases of rape were reported at either schools, universities, colleges or day care facilities.”

“Fellow South Africans, this category of crime has terrorised most households and communities as most of these crimes happen behind closed doors and only publicised when the offence has been committed and in most cases when victims of crimes are no more,” Cele said.

The Minister called on the private sector as well as gender activists’ organisations to work with government to defeat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

“Awareness campaigns on GBVF must be intensified; private sector and gender activists’ organisations must work together with government to defeat the scourge and expose perpetrators in this regard,” Cele said.

Aggravated robbery

Meanwhile, under the sub categories of aggravated robbery; robbery of cash in transit vehicles recorded a decrease of 10.4% and bank robberies declined by 100%.

“During the period under review, there were no bank robberies in South Africa. However, in the same category, carjacking and truck hijacking have recorded an increase of 13.3% and 1.7% respectively.

“Operational interventions have been deployed accordingly to address the growing increase,” the Minister said.

A total of 16 026 cases carjacking were reported in 2018/2019 and increased to 18 162 cases in 2019/2020.

Cases for truck hijacking stood at 1 182 in 2018/2019 and increased to 1 202 the following year.

In 2018/2019 a total of 183 cases for robbery of cash in transit were recorded while in 2019/2020 the figure decreased to 164.

Cases reported for robbery at residential premises stood at 22 431 in 2018/2019 while 21 130 cases were reported in 2019/2020.

A total of 19 991 cases of robbery at non-residential premises were recorded in 2018/2019 and 20 651 cases were recorded in 2019/2020.