North West 3rd Quarter Crime Stats: Portfolio Committee on Community Safety Responds to Key Findings

On Wednesday, 05 March 2025, the Chairperson of the North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Hon. Freddy Sonakile, joined the MEC for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Hon. Wessels Morweng, and the Acting North West Provincial Police Commissioner, General Patrick Asaneng, in Stilfontein for the release of the third-quarter (2024/25) crime statistics for the province. Hon. Sonakile was accompanied by Members of the Legislature, Hon. Karabo Magagane and Hon. Nathan Oliphant, during the event.

The Chairperson expressed satisfaction with the 3.9% overall decrease in crime recorded for this period. “It is important to recognize that this period covers the festive season, a time when crime rates typically surge. This decrease is a testament to the impact of the various initiatives launched by SAPS during that period. However, there are still areas requiring particular attention,” said Hon. Sonakile.

The Committee has taken a specific interest in police stations that continue to register high crime rates, notably:
• Ikageng – The leading station in the province for contact crimes and contact-related crimes, ranking 50th and 18th nationally.
• Rustenburg – The highest in property-related crimes and other serious crimes in the province, ranking 6th and 13th nationally, followed by Klerksdorp and Brits.
• Tlhabane, Mooinooi, and Letlhabile – The top three stations in crimes detected as a result of police action.
• Taung – The highest in the province and nationally for arson cases.
• Mogwase – The highest in the province and nationally for cash-in-transit robberies.
• Mmabatho – The highest in the province for attempted sexual offences, ranking 2nd nationally.
• Ikageng – The highest in the province and 3rd nationally for contact sexual offences.

Hon. Sonakile said focused oversight will be directed at these stations as part of the Committee’s programme to assess their challenges and determine the necessary support. Additionally, the Committee has noted that most of the crime in the province occurs in Bojanala, necessitating specific attention and resource mobilization in this area.

The Committee also took note of the progress of Operation Vala Umgodi in addressing illegal mining operations in Stilfontein, as well as developments in the case involving four police officers accused of facilitating the escape of James “Tiger” Tshoaeli, the alleged mastermind behind illegal mining activities in the area.

In the next quarter, the Committee will conduct a focused oversight visit to Stilfontein, involving multiple stakeholders, including:
SAPS Intelligence Unit, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and NGOs amongst others.

“We need to understand how we arrived at this situation as a province, assess the effectiveness of intelligence operations, and hold relevant departments accountable to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“It remains the duty of the Portfolio Committee, to conduct oversight and hold both the Department and SAPS accountable for crime in the province,” added Hon. Sonakile.

The Committee further expressed serious concern over illegal mining activities uncovered in Bojanala and the arrests made during Operation Vala Umgodi, where individuals of Asian, Ethiopian, and Pakistani nationality were among those apprehended for their involvement in illegal mining operations.

Ends

Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature: Media & Communications Unit on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management – Hon Freddy Sonakile

Regards,