Bheki Cele: Alcohol abuse played pivotal role in SA's murders
Police Minister, Bheki Cele says the latest crime statistics show the abuse of alcohol played a role in hundreds of murders.
Between the 1st of July and the end of September - over 5 107 people were murdered in the country.
There were 339 fewer murders this time compared to the same period last year.
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Over a thousand incidents of murder, attempted murder, rape and assault took place in or outside liquor outlets such as bars, taverns, shebeens and nightclubs," he said.
"These figures make it impossible to deny the true effect of alcohol."
He says he won't stop talking about the impact of alcohol abuse. "I remain critical and vocal about the negative affect alcohol has on our communities.
"This is despite my views being unpopular in some quarters of society but these crime statistics we are releasing today, continue to vindicate our actions."
