Murders and rapes in South Africa have increased further, according to the latest official crime figures, which do "not give
a positive image
" of the country, Police Minister Bheki Cele acknowledged on Friday.
“
The crime figures we are releasing today do not paint a positive picture of the situation in our country
,” although there has been progress in some areas, Police Minister Bheki Cele said during a meeting. a press conference in Cape Town.
Under fire from critics
South Africa is one of the most dangerous countries on the planet.
Between October and December 2022, 7,555 people were murdered, including 3,144 with a firearm, according to police statistics.
That's more than 82 murders per day, an increase of more than 10% compared to the same period last year.
The police registered 12,419 rape complaints, also up 9.8%.
"
It is alarming to note that a total of 5,935 rapes took place in the home of the perpetrator or the victim
", underlined Bheki Cele, a sign that these crimes are perpetrated within "
the family, by friends or neighbours
”.
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The minister, increasingly coming under fire amid rising crime, called on local communities to stand by the police and intelligence services: “Someone, somewhere,
somehow 'another, knows something
,' he said.
"
For the first time in the history of South Africa, murders have increased above 80 a day and rapes above 135
", lamented the first opposition party (DA, Democratic Alliance ) in a press release.
The party denounces a badly trained police force, the inadequacies of intelligence and the lack of means.
“
It is time for (President Cyril) Ramaphosa to leave Cele, to appoint a competent minister
,” the party concludes.
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