South Africa’s Police Minister Bheki Cele has bemoaned an increase in violent crimes in the country, with the number of murders rising by 22 percent over the past year.
Speaking when he released quarterly police crime statistics on Friday, the minister said the fourth quarter of the 2021/22 financial year was marred by increased murders, sexual violence, and assaults compared to the same time period in the previous year.
“All in all, these statistics don’t give us a good picture,” he said.
According to the statistics, between 1 January and 31 March, murders increased from 4,976 cases to 6,083 in the first quarter.
Attempted murders recorded an increase of 1,135 from 4,582 to 5,717 – which is a 24.8 percent increase, data added.
Sexual offences rose from 12,123 to 13,799 cases during the period – resulting in an increase of 13.7 percent, the records showed.
During this period, contact crime increased by 20,593 – from 137,314 to 157,907 – a 15 percent increase, the statistics showed.
Cele attributed arguments, vigilantism, revenge and robberies as the top four causative factors of the deaths in South Africa.
NM/jn/APA