Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Wednesday that a double-digit percentage increase for murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against women was recorded.

The quarterly crime statistics reflected crimes that were reported to the South African Police Service (Saps) between July 1 and September 30.

“As we edge closer to commemorating the commencement of the global 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign on November 25, the reality is women continue to be victims of violent crimes in South Africa,” he said.

Over 13 000 women were victims of assault with intend to cause grievous bodily harm between July and September.

1 277 women were victims of attempted murder and 989 women were murdered during this reporting period.

Cele said the rate at which women are abused, violated and killed in the country remains worrying and unacceptable. Many are killed by people they know, love and trust, he said.

He explained that the crime statistics also highlighted that communities continue to fail to protect some of the most vulnerable in society, such as children.

He said it was shocking that in just six months 558 children were killed in the country, with 1 895 assault to cause grievous bodily harm cases.

Cele said last month the kidnapping, rape and brutal murder of four-year old Bokgabo Poo shocked the nation and world at large.

Over 10 000 rape cases were opened with the Saps, with 1 651 of the rape incidents occurring at public places and 5 083 of the incidents happening at the residence of the victims, while 69 people were raped at abandoned buildings.

Cele highlighted that 4 375 perpetrators of crimes committed against women and children were arrested by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit with 410 rapists traced and arrested, 68 of them having been sentenced to life behind bars.

“While the overview of these crime statistics may be disheartening at face value, they should not make us lose confidence in our endeavour to fight crime. The rule of law must stand firm in South Africa,” he said.

He said the crime figures are a management tool to guide the Saps and streamline policing operations, by shifting resources to where they were needed most. He added that the Saps must continue to sharpen its response to crime including arresting some members of the Saps who choose to work against the law.