Pretoria - Gauteng province, which has been notoriously dubbed the crime capital of the country, has welcomed the overall decrease in crime levels, says Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
The 2010/11 national crime statistics, released by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa on September 8, revealed that in Gauteng, murder had dropped by 11%, while sexual offences - including rape - had gone down by 15.9%.
"We are, however, still concerned about rape, though we are pleased that more people are now starting to report it. We recommit ourselves to fighting this scourge," said the premier.
The premier applauded Provincial Police Commissioner Mzwandile Petros in his efforts to fight crime, as most of the targets had been met and exceeded.
Mokonyane also expressed concern at homophobia, saying the province was giving it undivided attention. Gauteng has launched a campaign through which it teaches people that being gay is not an anomaly or a crime.
Attempted murder in the province has gone down by 19.5%, with all types of robberies and assaults also dropping. Hijacking has dropped by 20.3%.
"Also of concern is the rise in ATM bombings. This, we believe, is because criminals perceive ATMs to be 'soft targets' as security has been tightening elsewhere."
The province was still faced with drug and alcohol-induced crime, which increased by 5.1%.
"The latest figures are worrying, given that more and more people, particularly youngsters, are getting arrested daily for drunken driving."
Drunk driving has shot up by 35.2% in Gauteng. - BuaNews
