Political parties say violent crime in SA is a 'bloodbath'

CAPE TOWN - Political parties are concerned about the increase in violent crime with some calling it a "bloodbath".

They said crimes against women and children also remain a serious concern following the release of crime statistics for the first two quarters of the year.

ALSO READ:

The stats show 966 women were murdered during the same period - a 7.9 percent increase, while the 1,644 attempted murders was a 16 percent rise.

Over 13,000 women were the victims of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police major general Norman Sekhukhune said children are also targets.

"On the children’s side, we had recorded 21 more murders of children. The current number of 314 [increased] from the 293 that were recorded in the previous comparable period."

DA Police Spokesperson Ian Cameron described the latest stats as a bloodbath.

"After what we’ve seen with the crime statistics, it really is extremely worrying to see the bloodbath with which so many South Africans need to try and survive every single day."

GOOD Party Secretary General Brett Herron said the stats "once again paint a horrific picture of what it’s like to be a woman" while calling for more funding for neighbourhood watches.