September saw the release of the latest provincial crime statistics, and although the figures showed only a slight increase from previous years, they still offered little consolation to Soutpansberg residents.

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lt Genl Fanie Masemola released the crime statistics for the period from April 2012 until March 2013 on Wednesday, 25 September, in Polokwane.

During this period, the total number of cases reported at the Makhado SAPS increased from 2 481 to 2 520. In Musina, reported cases increased from 2 207 to 2 431 and in Levubu from 1 223 cases to 1 318.

Violent crimes like murder did not show a remarkable increase. In Musina, the total number of murder cases decreased from 13 in 2012 to nine in 2013. Levubu had one fewer murder case than the previous year’s five. In the Makhado (Louis Trichardt) area, murder cases increased from five to 12 by the end of March 2013.

Sexual crimes reported during this time, not only in the region but also across the province, were the highest ever. During the last year, Limpopo has seen an increase of 15.8% in sexual offences. At the Musina SAPS, the number of sexual crimes has increased from 72 to a shocking 168. At Levubu, the cases have increased from 63 to 71. The Makhado SAPS is one of the few stations were the total number of similar cases (145 to 63) has decreased.

Other criminal activities that have increased at an alarming rate in the Makhado policing area were burglaries at family homes. For Makhado (Louis Trichardt) the number of cases has risen from 232 in the previous year to 307. This intrusive crime has also increased in the Musina policing area from 222 to 270. In Levubu, the same crime has shown a slight decrease from 167 to 157.

During this period, burglaries at business premises remained high. In Makhado, the number of cases reported decreased somewhat from 169 to 167. In Levubu, the cases increased from 83 to 95 and in Musina from 75 to 88. Whether these figures for the Makhado SAPS are an accurate reflection of the situation is not certain. Over the last two years, businesses, especially those situated in the industrial area of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), have been victims of petty thieves' scavenging for scrap metal to sell. A large number of these cases are not reported to the police.

In Levubu, forceful robberies have increased at both businesses and residences. Robberies at residential premises have increased from eight to 17, and at businesses from nine cases to 13. In Musina, robberies at homes have decreased from 38 cases to 16 and at businesses increased from eight to nine cases. At Makhado, the number of robberies at residential premises has dropped from 13 to five cases, while it increased from eight to 15 cases at business premises.

The chairperson of the Soutpansberg Town Watch Association, Mr Dirk Meissenheimer, said that the figures were worrying. “Housebreakings and robberies have definitely been on the increase,” said Meissenheimer on Tuesday. “Even people in the private security sector have noticed with concern the increase in break-ins and robberies,” he added.  

A crime that received some attention during the 2012/13 year was stock theft; an ever-present thorn in the flesh of farmers and land owners. In Limpopo, the total number of cases reported decreased by 8.2%. At the Makhado SAPS the total number of stock theft cases also decreased from 40 last year to 26. The same cannot be said about Levubu (7 to 12) and Musina (16 to 17). 

The stats for rhino poaching, which have been declared a priority crime by Environmental Affairs Minister Ms Edna Molewa this year, were not revealed as part of the provincial crime statistics.

Meissenheimer has once again urged residents to be more pro-active when it comes to crime. “If you can’t join the town watch, at least be vigilant,” was his advice. “If you see something or someone that is suspect, report it to the police.”