Eastern Cape police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has called for strengthened relations between the police, community policing forums, communities, and labour unions within the police sector, as part of crime fighting efforts in the province.
Mene made the remarks as she led the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province in releasing the latest crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year which covers the months from October to December 2021.
The release of the latest provincial crime statistics was held at Dan’s Lodge, outside Mthatha, on March 11.
“Today’s policing methods should consider and be responsive to the needs of the people of the province.
“This cannot be done without the involvement and participation of community policing forums as well as labour unions,” Mene said.
“Communities that we police must be allowed to express their views on how they want to be policed by us.
“Similarly, they are also entitled to information on how we have performed as an organisation and part of that information is the latest crime statistics we are releasing on a quarterly basis,” Mene added.
The latest crime statistics revealed that a total of 1 304 people were murdered across the Eastern Cape in the latest reporting period, which translates to an 8.3% increase in murders in the province, compared to the same period the previous year.
Mthatha Central and Lusikisiki police stations occupy the first and second spots respectively in Eastern Cape police stations that recorded the most murder cases for the reporting period
Mthatha Central recorded 44 murder cases, while Lusikisiki recorded 43.
The two police stations also rank in the top 20 of police stations with most murder cases recorded nationally with Mthatha on number 14 and Lusikisiki occupying number 17.
The two police stations also recorded the most cases of rape for the reporting period with Lusikisiki on top with 92 reported cases followed by Mthatha Central Police Station with 62.
Lusikisiki also occupies the top spot nationally on rape cases.
The latest provincial third quarter crime statistics also show a decrease in sexual offences, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, rape, and sexual assault among others.
The latest provincial crime statistics were presented by SAPS provincial head for crime registrar, Brigadier Kevin Moodley.
