SA winning crime war, says Selebi

2003-09-22 15:09

Cape Town - The police service has made great strides in reducing serious crime levels, although certain categories of crime have increased, says national commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Briefing the media on the South African Police Service annual report for 2002/'03 - tabled in parliament on Monday, he said murders had dropped by 1.3% during the period under review, and rape by 5.3%.

There was a significant decrease in high-profile (sensational) cases of aggravated robbery, he said.

Hijacking of motor vehicles dropped by 20.2%, and bank-related robberies (bank robberies and cash-in-transit heists) by 15.4%.

Both these categories had reached the lowest levels since 1996/'97.

However, other aggravated robberies, street robbery, and housebreaking had increased, said Selebi.

- SAPA