CAPE TOWN - There were fewer murders, attempted murders and aggravated robberies in the Western Cape in the past year.
The province recorded decreases in 14 categories of contact crime. But officials say gang-related incidents continue to be the second biggest cause of murder.
And the province's gradual progress in the war on crime hasn't dampened the call for devolution of policing powers.
READ: Crime statistics | Gangs and guns plague the Mother City
Delft is once again the murder capital of the Western Cape, followed by Mfuleni and Nyanga. These places are not technically gang hotspots, but officials believe extortion, kidnapping and gun violence are contributing to higher crime rates.
The MEC for policing says there are plans for more police stations. However, it may be time to consider delegating policing and investigation powers to the City of Cape Town municipality.
Activists believe it will take more than boots on the ground to end crime. Provincial safety officials say they’ll be focusing on the stations that are consistently recording high crimes.
eNCA’s Nobesuthu Hejana reports.