#CrimeStats | Sexual assault rate up by 4.6%

South Africa’s murder rate is up 1.4 percent with some 57 people being murdered a day while the rape and sexual assault rate grew to 4.6 percent compared to the previous year.

This came when Police Minister Bheki Cele, national police commissioner Khehla Sitole and his team presented the country’s crime statistics in Parliament’s police portfolio committee on Thursday morning.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology management and staff observes a moment of silence for victims and survivors of Gender based violence. Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA)

The total numbers of murders recorded were 21,022; 686 more than the previous reporting year.

Attempted murder grew 4.1 percent to 18,980, while assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm was up 2.2 percent to 170,979.

Rape and sexual assault was also on the rise, reaching 52,420 cases reported, a 4.6 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The stats quickly started trending on social media with some people weighing in their thoughts.

64% of murders happen between Saturday 9pm and Sunday 3am. Police say an indication that these crimes are fuelled by alcohol consumption. #CrimeStats

— Lindsay Dentlinger (@metrobabe) September 12, 2019

Last year Cele vowed to reduce crime rate and said heads would roll if it doesn’t.

He’s asked when & whose heads will roll?

“The heads can’t roll because they are expected to shift back or reverse the stats. Allow their heads to reverse the situation, especially with murders”.

— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) September 12, 2019