Bojanala Remains a Crime Hotspot Despite Provincial Decrease in Crime Rate

By Reamogetse Thekisho

The North West Province has recorded a general decline in crime, with a 3.9% decrease in reported cases compared to the previous year. However, Bojanala Platinum District Municipality remains one of the province’s leading crime hotspots, prompting intensified policing efforts.

This was revealed during a joint media briefing hosted by the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management on Tuesday. The North West MEC for Community Safety, Wessels Morweng, and SAPS North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, presented the province’s 2024/2025 third-quarter crime statistics.

MEC Morweng announced that the province recorded 26,999 cases, which is over 1,100 cases fewer than the same period in the previous year. Despite this overall decline, Morweng stressed the need for targeted operations in high-crime areas, particularly in combating illegal mining activities.

General Asaneng, alongside crime statistics analyst Brigadier Sakalengwe Ntshabele presented a detailed breakdown of the crime trends. The data showed a 2.5% decrease in contact crimes, a 10.5% drop in property-related crimes, and a 2.2% decline in other serious crimes. However, contact-related crimes, which include assault and domestic violence, increased by 2.3%.

Bojanala and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda (Dr KK) districts continue to record the highest crime rates in the province. Law enforcement agencies are now ramping up operations to curb criminal activities in these areas.

Authorities have assured the public that efforts are being intensified to ensure safer communities across the province.