The Western Cape is one of only two provinces that have shown a decrease in murders in the third quarter of the past financial year.

The police senior management has briefed the public on the crime statistics for the October to December 2021 period.

The Free State is the other province to have shown a decline in murders during that time.

The police’s Major-General Norman Sekhukhune has told members of the police portfolio committee that murders increased nationally by 8.9% or 562 compared to the previous quarter.

Committee member, Ockert Terblanche says that South Africa is becoming more dangerous.

The murder rate has increased by 20.5% in the past five years.

The crime statistics have also shown that the places where murders are mostly to occur remain open fields, residences, and liquor outlets.