Big jump in S Africa sex offences

Pretoria, 23 Sept-(ANA)-The latest crime statistics in South Africa show a slight decrease in the murder rate but a sharp rise in burglaries 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 the inclusion of attacks on men.

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 tens of thousands of extra foreign visitors.

Opposition parties have criticised the government's record on crime.

Nationwide, some 2.1m serious crimes were recorded in the past year.

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. (ANA)

FA/ANA/23 September 2009---