Crime stats: Murder rate on the increase

The SAPS top brass is currently presenting the 2015 / 2016 crime stats to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police.

Major General Norman Sekhukhune told MPs that murder remains a problematic crime for them.

"Murder has increased by 4.9%, It is believed that it is of social contact nature and happens mostly indoors and among people known to each other who are either acquaintances and in some instances it happens in a domestic violence setting and also alcohol abuse is been seen to be prominent," he said.

The latest increase shows that the murder rate currently stands at 34 per 100 000 people.

"When we look at the provincial breakdown, the only province that has managed to reverse this crime is the Northern Cape which has recorded a decrease of 9.9%. The rest of the provinces have shown increases ranging from 1.3% - 15.6% observed in Limpopo," he said.

Sekhukhune added that the crime stats will be released on a quarterly and annual basis.

READ ALSO: Communities can help reduce crime: Phahlane

Meanwhile, Acting National Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane says crime is an element of society that cannot be tackled by the police alone.

He is urging all South Africans to play a role in helping to reduce crime.