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South Africa is witnessing a huge spurt in crime and criminal activities since last year.

According to police statistics, more than 7,000 people were murdered in the last three months, with an average of 76 murders every day.

The sordid details became clearer after the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, released the crime statistics for the second quarter of 2022/23, displaying the horrifying state of law and order in the African nation. The statistics demonstrate the details of crimes reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) between July 1 and Sept. 30, according to Daily Maverick.

As per the details of the quarterly figures, the rate of murders committed surged by 14 percent between July and September, compared to the same period in 2021 when 6,163 people were killed. Almost 1,000 women were among those murdered, according to the latest statistics.

Around 13,000 women were also victims of grievous assault, while 1,277 women were victims of attempted murder.

"The rate at which women are abused, violated and some killed in South Africa remains worrying and unacceptable," Cele said during a press briefer, Al-Jazeera reported.

The instances of kidnapping doubled to over 4,000, while rapes were up 11 percent, with 10,000 cases recorded across the country. Every day between July and September end, on average about 115 people were raped, 448 people were victims of assault with intent to do bodily harm, and as many as 383 robberies took place, the statistics revealed.

The number of carjackings rose by 24 percent (6,000 instances). Between April and September, more than 550 children were killed.

"The crime statistics again show that we as communities continue to fail to protect some of the most vulnerable in society: our children," Cele added.

Cele further revealed 10,000 new recruits would join the police force before the Christmas and New Year period to battle the surging crime in the country.

"This will intensify police visibility during the festive season and beyond. Nothing will replace fighting crime [better] than warm bodies," Cele said, as per the outlet.

The minister has been under fire for his poor and inept handling of crime in the country. Various critics and members of the opposition party have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to sack Cele.