Crime stats: murder increased by 4.6%

National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega who is busy presenting the annual crime statistics to Parliament says 17 805 murders were recorded in the 2014/2015 financial year, up from 17 230 the previous year. 

The number of contact crimes increased by 5 399 cases. 

Phiyega says contact crimes represent over 41% of all charges.

"In the current year, chairperson, contact crimes have increased by 0.9%. Murder decreased from 5% between 2012/13 and 2013/14 to 4.6% change in 2014/15," she said. 

Robbery related crime has also seen an increase while there's been a decrease in other crimes, including sexual offences, and assault.

It's also been revealed that a total of R10.8-billion was illegally transferred out of the country in the past year; while R2.1-billion illegally came into South Africa.

Phiyega has called for a stricter enforcement of municipal bylaws regulating small businesses.

"A lot of the small businesses are illegal - they're trading with a lot of money that doesn't get to the bank and flows in and out of the country. So all those issues, chairperson, have their own contributions," she said. 

(File photo)