The safety of Gauteng residents is under threat due to an increase in murder, carjacking, robbery on residential property and robbery on non-residential property. This happened despite Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s safety wardens being deployed across the province to fight and prevent crime.
According to the crime statistics for the second quarter of 2023, Gauteng reported a marked increase in murder by 46 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Contact crime has also increased by 38; carjacking has increased by 39; robbery at residential property has increased by 347; and robbery at non-residential property has increased by 85.
Furthermore, the following crimes were reported for the second quarter of 2023 in Gauteng:
Community-reported serious crime: 108 74
Robbery of cash in transit: 22
Truck hijacking: 290
Kidnapping for ransom: 81
Kidnapping: 2194
Rape:2 096
Murder of police officers: 8
This is an indication that Lesufi’s plan to employ crime wardens, issue residents panic buttons, and deploy drones is not doing much to reduce crime in this province.
Residents of Gauteng do not want empty promises but want a government that will put its money where its mouth is and put tangible solutions in place that will reduce crime in the province.
When crime rates drop drastically, this will inspire investor confidence and business growth, leading Gauteng to flourish socially and economically.