Police Minister Bheki Cele said that murders in the third quarter of the 2023/24 year (October to December 2023) increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more murders compared to Q3 2022/23.

The minister said that arguments, misunderstanding and road rage were the main reasons for the killings.

There was a total of 7,710 murders over the period, meaning an average of 84 people were murdered every day in Q3," Cele said.

The third quarter data gives the final tally for the 2023 calendar year as well, with the country ultimately recording 27,368 murders between January and December 2023 – an average of 75 murders per day.

The minister said that police stations that are hotspots for more murders will be sent additional resources to try and combat the rising crime levels.

Looking at other violent crimes over the third quarter, attempted murder increased by 13.0% from the prior period – rising from 7,016 to 7,927.

Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily (5.8%), common assault (0.4%), common robbery (3.9%) and robbery with aggravating circumstances (6.6%) all increased.

Overall, contact crime (crimes against the person) increased by 3.8% compared to the prior period.

Sexual offences (-11.0%), including rape (-1.7%), decreased compared to the prior period and attempted sexual offences increased by 1.3%, concerningly, the majority of rapes took place at the victim’s place of residence.

Cash-in-transit robberies also dropped, and 46 CITs took place – 11 less than the prior period however, carjackings also increased by 6.5% from 5,608 to 5,973.

During the same period, 42 people were handed life sentences for murder, with another 83 convicted murderers receiving sentences of 20 years or longer.

Another 497 people were handed sentences ranging between five and 19 years imprisonment.

The minister revealed that 22 police officers had been killed between October and December while 10 of them had been on duty at the time.

We will not hesitate to ensure that those who harbour police killers, or are in any way involved in criminal activity related to police killings, will face the same consequences as the criminal who actually pulled the trigger," Cele added.