The Western Cape murder rate is soaring and it seems that there is very little the provincial government can do to slow it down.

Western Cape murder rate: Total killings this weekend

The provincial Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, revealed that, in this past weekend alone, there have been a total of 55 unnatural deaths resulting from gunshot wounds and sharp objects in the Western Cape, “33 of which were in the Metro West region”.

Fritz revealed these shocking statistics in response to the news of 15 murders recorded in Philippi, Hanover Park and Delft between Friday, 5 July and Monday, 8 July.

“I commend the SAPS on their urgent response to the murders that took place in Philippi. They have launched a 72-hour action plan in response to the killings. “The plan entails a lock-down and operations in the area that are conducted by public order police, the K9 Unit and Flying Squad members. In this regard, the Western Cape Government will continue to work closely with SAPS, and continue to provide the necessary oversight,” Fritz stated.

Murder rate 23% higher than this time last year

The province’s minister noted with concern that the City is facing a crisis. He revealed that by June 2018, there were 344 recorded murders.

This figure has increased by 104 (23.2%) in the same period in 2019.

“The figures are deeply chilling and it is for this reason that I have called on SANDF to be immediately deployed to our communities. In the past, communities have called for a state of emergency and this is something that the National Government needs to consider in a bid to bring peace to the area,” Fritz added

Fritz called on communities to stand up against criminals who are pillaging the streets right now. He pointed at the community protest in Philippi that was a response to the killings that saw six women gunned down, and a further five males murdered in less than 24 hours.