Load shedding a 'real threat to public safety': Police union urges govt to solve energy crisis

Police union Popcru has claimed that the increase in violent crimes during increased stages of load shedding "is no coincidence".

Popcru President Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza said the increase in contact or violent crimes, reflected in the most recent quarterly crime statistics, showed that load shedding "has serious consequences for public safety and law enforcement".

Overall, violent crime increased by 11.6%, compared to the situation during the corresponding period in the previous year. This included increases in each of the categories that make up violent crime.