KZN's contact crime rate drops by 24.2%
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala says since the implementation of the advanced Level 3 lockdown, there's been a decline in crime in the province.
"For the period 12 - 25 July 2020, we have noted a 24.2% decrease in all contact crimes, which includes murders, attempted murders, assaults, sexual offences (which includes rapes) and robberies.
"During the same period, we have also noted a 28.8% reduction in property crimes, which includes Burglaries (both business and residential), theft of motor vehicles, theft out of motor vehicles and stock theft," says Zikalala.
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He made the remarks at a press briefing where he updated the province on the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday.
It comes days after Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize announced that he expected KZN to grow to be the province with the second-highest numbers after Gauteng.
Zikalala says community reported crime also decreased by 22,6 percent in the same period.
"Coupled with the implementation of these lockdown regulations, increased police operations have resulted in a large number of arrests for various crimes including for smuggling illicit cigarettes.
"Criminals have come up with innovative ways of smuggling contraband. However; police officers working at a number of roadblocks across the province have arrested them and seized massive quantities of counterfeit cigarettes."
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