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Big jump in S Africa sex offences | Big jump in S Africa sex offences |
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The latest crime statistics in South Africa show a slight decrease in the murder rate but a sharp rise in house robberies and sexual offences. | |
While the murder rate has fallen by 3%, this still represent more than 18,000 killings per year and is one of the highest rates in the world. | |
Sexual offences have risen by 10%, which the government partly attributes to a broadening of the definition. | Sexual offences have risen by 10%, which the government partly attributes to a broadening of the definition. |
Officials insist that security is not a problem at the 2010 Football World Cup. | |
This is being hosted by South Africa - the first time the event has been held on the continent - and the country is expecting hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors. | |
Opposition parties have criticised the government's record on crime. | Opposition parties have criticised the government's record on crime. |
The overall crime rate shows a slight rise - mainly due to a sharp increase in robberies. Thefts in business have shot up by 41%. | The overall crime rate shows a slight rise - mainly due to a sharp increase in robberies. Thefts in business have shot up by 41%. |
'Not safe' | 'Not safe' |
Police Minister Nkosinathi Mthethwa told Parliament in Cape Town that a collaborative effort was needed in the fight against crime. | |
CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA Up Sexual offences: 71,500 - 10% rise Residential robberies: 18,400 - 27% riseBusiness robberies: 13,900 - 41% rise Down Murder: 18,000 - 3% fallStreet robbery: 72,194 - 7% fall | |
Mr Mthethwa said while there had largely been a decrease in robberies at big businesses, small business and informal traders had seen an increase in violent robberies. | Mr Mthethwa said while there had largely been a decrease in robberies at big businesses, small business and informal traders had seen an increase in violent robberies. |
"Issues like the vulnerability of cash often [on site] and the unavailability of resources to implement crime prevention measures contributes to making these businesses vulnerable," he said. | "Issues like the vulnerability of cash often [on site] and the unavailability of resources to implement crime prevention measures contributes to making these businesses vulnerable," he said. |
The new legislation takes into account sexual offences against men. | The new legislation takes into account sexual offences against men. |
House robberies have also shown an increase. | House robberies have also shown an increase. |
The statistics revealed more than 18,000 South Africans were attacked by robbers in their own homes - a 27% increase from 2007/2008. | The statistics revealed more than 18,000 South Africans were attacked by robbers in their own homes - a 27% increase from 2007/2008. |
"It is one of the crimes that are most intrusive and personalise the crime experience We simply cannot tolerate a situation where people do not feel safe in their homes," he said. | "It is one of the crimes that are most intrusive and personalise the crime experience We simply cannot tolerate a situation where people do not feel safe in their homes," he said. |
These could be the last official crime statistics ahead of the Football World Cup in June 2010, says the BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg. | These could be the last official crime statistics ahead of the Football World Cup in June 2010, says the BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg. |
Opposition parties have expressed disappointment there hasn't been a significant overall decline in crime levels in the country. | Opposition parties have expressed disappointment there hasn't been a significant overall decline in crime levels in the country. |