Pretoria - Sexual offences decreased by 0.4 percent during the 2012/2013 financial year, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.
Speaking at the release of the annual crime statistics in Pretoria, he said rape had decreased by 0.4 percent over the past financial year.
"Nonetheless, we want to reiterate the point that we are still unhappy and concerned about the levels of rape in the country," he said.
"Protection of communities is now central to our strategies that are aimed at reducing incidences of gender-based violence."
Sexual assault decreased by 6.2 percent over the same period, after increasing during the preceding three years.
The level of contact crime has decreased by 4.2 percent over the past financial year, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.
He said contact crime had decreased by 16 percent over the past four years, and 38.2 percent over the past nine years.
Property-related crime over the past financial year increased by 1.7 percent.
Other serious crime decreased by 5.3 percent over the same period. - Sapa