The number of women murdered in the 2018/19 financial year in South African decreased, but the number of children murdered increased, MPs heard on Thursday.
In a briefing to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, Police Minister Bheki Cele anticipated the reaction to the results, saying: "Our statistics are not rosy."
There were 2 771 women murdered in the period, down from 2 930, a decrease of 5.4%.
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However, there were 1 014 children murdered in the 2018/19 financial year, a 2.9% increase from the 985 murders the previous year.
Reported sexual offences against women decreased slightly to 36 597 in the 2018/19 financial year, a decrease of 0.4%.
There was also an increase in sexual offences against children, with 24 387 children falling victim, a 3.8% increase.
The briefing continues.