SA records 19.8% drop in reported rape cases during 3rd quarter of the year
The South African Police Service released the third quarterly crime statistics covering the period between 1 October and 31 December 2023.
Minister of Police Bheki Cele. Picture: X/SAPoliceService
JOHANNESBURG - The country has recorded a 19.8% drop in the number of reported rapes during the third quarter of last year.
On Friday, police released the third quarterly crime statistics covering the periods between 1 October and 31 December 2023.
For the period in under review, 12,211 rape cases were reported and they represent a decrease of 208 from the previous period in the same year.
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In the four indicators of sexual offences, it is only attempted sexual offences that have increased by 10 cases during the period in review.
Rape, sexual assault and contact sexual offences have all reported decreases.
Inanda Police Station, which consistently records the highest number of reported rape cases in country, recorded a 20-count decrease.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the statistics are positive and point to good police work.
"What is encouraging is that more awareness programs are being conducted by our social crime prevention and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS), which translates to an increase in the reporting of these crimes."
However, Cele said the case numbers relating to sexual offences still remain very high.