Crime stats show spike in police murders as 109 cops murdered since last year

Police murder rates in South Africa have surged, with a staggering 109 officers killed since the previous year, as indicated by the latest crime statistics, presented by Police Minister Bheki Cele.

According to the recently released crime statistics for the first quarter of 2023/24 , over hundred police officers have lost their lives from April 2023 to date.

Cele held a briefing in Tshwane, on police take down operations on Sunday, 7 April, to provide the crime statistics resulting from intelligence-led police operations.

Cele said in some cases the suspects choose to engage the police in a gun battle and police had to act accordingly which resulted in over 150 shot and killed from April 2023 to date.

Sadly some police succumbed to death in the hands of the criminals.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has called on police officers to protect themselves as they face the risk of being killed when fighting crime.

Cele says no police officer should die with a gun in their hand.

The minister stated that these specialized operations require extensive planning, surveillance, and monitoring of targets, often spanning weeks or even months.

“These operations involve the collaboration of highly skilled detectives and tactical unit members who carry out arrests,” Cele expressed his satisfaction with the positive outcomes achieved through these operations.

“the South African Police Service (SAPS) has successfully intercepted armed and dangerous gangs in recent days. These gangs have instilled a sense of terror and fear in the communities they targeted,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal shootings: Group of gangs killed in shootout with police

A group of eleven youngsters terrorising the community of Mariannhill in the Kwa-Zulu- Natal were intercepted and nine were shot and killed during an arrest.

Over 20 would-be Cash-In- Transit robbers in Witbank in the Mpumalanga province, were also stopped in their tracks
through coordinated responses by the police and private security.

“Five of the suspects were killed during a gunfire exchange with police in their attempt to evade arrest, while eight of Cash-In-Transit robbers were arrested and another nine managed to escape,” said Cele.

He further added that criminals have waged a war on communities and are so brazen that they are testing the authority of the state by attacking police officers.

Furthermore, Cele emphasized that the involvement in these crimes is not limited to foreigners alone, South Africans also contribute significantly to the these crime-related activities.

SA’s associated crimes breakdown

According to Cele, From April 2023 to date, 1 171 Intelligence led takedowns were conducted by the SAPS.

So far, 3 749 suspects have been apprehended during Intelligence led takedowns.

• These include 173 for Murder, 57 for extortion and kidnapping. 
• 164 for property related crimes.
• 269 for vehicle related crimes.
• 768 have been arrested for possession of illegal firearms.
• 488 and 79 suspects arrested for robberies and cash in transit robberies respectively.
• 1510 drug related and 214 illicit mining arrests were made from April to date during intelligence led takedowns.
• 41 191 for contravention of the Immigration Act and were found to be in the country illegally.
• 16 073 drunk drivers.
• 2 819 illegal miners involved in illicit mining.