Speaking at the presidential Imbizo that was held on Saturday at the Dr Petrus Molemela Indoor Sport Centre, Bloemfontein, Cele said that 550 police officers will be deployed to the province before the end of this year.

This, after confirming that 10 000 trainee police officers are currently undergoing training.

Residents of the troubled Mangaung Metro requested national government to build more police stations and increase police personnel due to skyrocketing crime in the metro.

READ MORE: President assures Free State residents of Mangaung turnaround

Residents were provided a chance to interact with President Cyril Ramaphosa and raise issues that negatively impact them as community members.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said that all criminals will be treated the same irrespective of their nationality.

READ MORE: Crime Stats: 75 people killed per day in last quarter

Cele released crime statistics recorded by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the third quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, revealing an 8,9% increase in murder and a 3,5% increase in attempted murder when compared to the previous year.

The top four factors identified in these deaths are arguments, vigilantism, robberies, and revenge or retaliation.

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