South Africa Sees One Positive Coronavirus Spinoff: Less Crime
- Murder, rape, assault cases fall sharply during lockdown
- Police log 230,000 violations of lockdown regulations
Security officers of TSU Protection Services and AM Security stand guard during the national lockdown in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 14.
Photographer: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Murder, rape, assault and robbery cases in South Africa have plummeted since the authorities imposed a lockdown in late March, but the police have been kept busy apprehending people for breaking the rules aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
There were 1,072 murders committed in the country between March 27 and May 19, a 64% drop from same period a year ago, police statistics released Friday show. The number of reported rapes declined by 83%, attempted murder by 56%, assault was down 80% and robbery with aggravating circumstances fell by 64% over the period.