Murder rate increase in SA
Murder in South Africa has increased by 4.9 percent over the past year.
The latest increase shows that the murder rate stands at 34 per 100 000 people.
Last year it stood at 33 per 100 000 people.
That's according to Police Minister Nathi Nhleko who is releasing the latest national crime statistics to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police.
Nhleko says there has been a decrease in incidence of crime in broad categories, except contact crime - which he says remains stubbornly high.
"It actually talks to the social fabric of our society. It's outlook. The patterns of social behaviour and everything else about it. What that then says is that we would have to - not only the South African Police Service, but society as a whole - put up quite an effort to deal with the social foundations," Nhleko said.
Attempted murder increased by 3.4 percent while house robbery increased by 2.7 percent.
Major General Norman Sekhukhune said sexual offences are down by 3.2 percent, but this could be based on reduced reporting.
"Contact crimes have increased by 1 percent in the current financial year when compared to the 2014/2015 financial year. However, over the 10 year period, contact crimes decreased by 14 percent," Sekhukhune said.
