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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. | 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. | 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 the inclusion of attacks on men. | |
Officials insist that security is not a problem at the 2010 Football World Cup. | 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. | 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. |
Overall, some 2.1m serious crimes were recorded in the past year - a slight rise. | |
This is 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. | Police Minister Nkosinathi Mthethwa told Parliament in Cape Town that a collaborative effort was needed in the fight against crime. |
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. |
CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA Up Sexual offences: 71,500 (10%) Residential robberies: 18,400 (27%)Business robberies: 13,900 (41%) Down Murder: 18,000 (3%)Street robbery: 72,194 (7%) | |
"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. |
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. |
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. |
The legacy of apartheid, social deprivation and corruption within the police force are among the reasons often cited for high levels of crime. | |
The BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says President Jacob Zuma has put the fight against crime centre stage with the appointment of a new, tough-talking Police Commissioner. | |
But many commentators warn against populist measures and say that unless the underlying problems are addressed, violent crime will continue. |