adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
CRIME rate shot up by 12 percent in Matabeleland South last year with Beitbridge District accounting for most cases, a senior police officer said.Addressing a provincial crime consultative committee meeting in Plumtree on Thursday, Assistant Commissioner Happymore Sigauke in charge of crime and operations, urged communities to work closely with the police to weed out criminals.
“As police we are concerned over the increase in general crime in the province during the year under review. It is sad to note that the province recorded a 12 percent increase in crime as 11,243 cases were received in 2013 compared to 10,068 cases received in 2012,” Asst Comm Sigauke said.
“At this point in time the input of various crime fighting committees is essential in the drive to reduce crime. We have set up various committees such as the neighbourhood committees and their necessity can never be over emphasised.”
Asst Comm Sigauke lamented the high increase in crime in Beitbridge and Gwanda Districts.
“Beitbridge and Gwanda Districts have recorded a high increase in crime. A total of 4,382 cases were recorded in Beitbridge last year compared to the previous 3,466 while crimes recorded in Gwanda increased from 3,553 to 4,099,” he said.
“On the other hand I would also like to applaud Bulilima-Mangwe Districts for realising a nine percent decrease in the crimes recorded last year.”
The districts recorded a combined 2,762 cases compared to 3,049 in 2012. Asst Comm Sigauke said the police were concerned about the upsurge of certain crimes in the province such as rape which rose 20 percent with robbery cases increasing by 34 percent.
“Crimes of concern are still high and there has been a huge increase. In particular there has been a huge increase in theft, robbery, assault and rape. Rape cases went up from 255 to 304 while theft moved from 1,449 to 1,847 and cases of robbery went up from 203 to 273,” he said.
“Cases of murder, however, were reduced from 52 to 49 but they are still relatively high. We are still recording high cases of unlawful entry and assault.”
Ass Comm Sigauke added: “Gwanda District recorded most murder crimes as it has accounted for 30 while Beitbridge accounted for 10 and Bulilima-Mangwe 12.
“I would also like to urge all crime fighting committees within towns to work closely with the various leadership structures in their communities.”
Online Reporter