South Africa losing battle against murder and rape

SOUTH AFRICANS are killing relatives and acquaintances at an alarming rate, police said, acknowledging traditional methods for battling crime could do little to stem the tide.

According to annually released crime statistics Wednesday, police have failed to achieve a targeted decrease of 7%-10% in the numbers of murders and rapes over the year.

South Africa, with nearly 50 murders each day, has one of the highest murder and rape rates in the world and an international reputation as a violent society.