THE Grahamstown SAPF released the crime statistics for Grahamstown for April and May at a CommunityPolicing Forum meeting last week.
The statistics painted a grim picture of sexual assault crimes and that cable theft has increased significantly.
THE Grahamstown SAPF released the crime statistics for Grahamstown for April and May at a CommunityPolicing Forum meeting last week.
The statistics painted a grim picture of sexual assault crimes and that cable theft has increased significantly.
In April a total of nine rapes (including attempted rapes) were reported at the local police station. However it was reported that there were a number of rape cases that were withdrawn by victims within the first week of reporting the case.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Sherolene Williams said: “For example, in May while the victim was making a statement, she changed her mind and insisted that she did not want to continue with the case since she did not want the man to be arrested, although she was well within her rights.
“The SAPS remains concerned that the victims may feel intimidated by their assailants and thus not report or continue with cases.” She added: “Parents are also especially warned to pay attention when young children report assaults or rapes.
In several instances parents did not wish to take action and teachers at had to intervene and report rapes to the SAPF.
Suspects get arrested and these cases are still under investigation.” In the report it was mentioned that the highest number of rapes occured in Sector 1 which includes blocks A, B and C in Joza; Extension 2, 6, 8 and 9 and Tantyi.
Meanwhile, between April and mid May 33 robberies, one hijacking, 44 assaults and six murder cases including an attempted murder were reported.
It was further noted that robberies have decreased slighty during the same period because a notorious robber had been held in police custody until mid-May.
Williams also expressed concern over the alarming increase in the number of cases involving cable theft over the past few weeks.
“Not only is the city losing thousands of rands due to Eskom and Telkom wires being cut and sold, but the communities themselves are not yet part of the solution.
“Meetings have been held within the various sectors and the hardest hit sector is Sector 2a [Fingo Village, Hlalani and Vukani] who held an imbizo to discuss the way forward.”
