KEY POINTS
- Attempted murder cases against children increased by 163.3% in 2024.
- Attempted murders of women rose by 4.8% from 2023.
- Murders of women and children slightly declined over the period.
According to the most recent police crime statistics, the number of attempted murder cases against women and children in Gauteng increased significantly during the third quarter of 2024.
Sharp rise in child attempted murder cases
Murder and assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm against these vulnerable populations have decreased notwithstanding this increase.
At a media conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng Police Commissioner Thommy Mthombeni and the provincial portfolio committee on police gave an overview of the period’s crime data. The study brought to light alarming patterns in violent crimes against women and children, especially the dramatic rise in attempted homicides.
Police reported 129 attempted child murder incidents between October and December 2024, a sharp rise over the same period the year before. Children are defined as those under the age of 18, and in the final three months of 2024, 80 more cases were reported. There are significant worries regarding the safety of kids given that this represents a 163.3% increase from 2023.
Murder rates show slight overall crime decline
Additionally, there was a 4.8% increase in attempted murder charges against women, from 416 in 2023 to 436 in 2024. Despite continuous attempts to reduce gender-based violence, the rise in these occurrences points to a growing threat to women’s safety in the province.
On the other hand, homicides against women decreased by 6.5%, and homicides involving children decreased by 5.5%. Although this decrease is encouraging, it is not enough to offset the concerning rise in attempted homicides, which shows that more women and children were the target of potentially fatal assaults.
According to Ewn, to shield vulnerable populations from violent crimes, authorities have underlined the necessity of more effective crime prevention measures. While community organizations and civil society groups continue to demand more effective interventions to address the underlying causes of gender-based and child-directed violence, law enforcement authorities are being encouraged to improve their response tactics.
Officials have reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up efforts to guarantee the safety and security of all vulnerable people in Gauteng, as crime against women and children continues to be a major concern.
