JOHANNESBURG - Almost 70 people were murdered each day between January and March this year.
Most were victims of arguments, vigilantism and robberies.
This is according to the latest crime statistics.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said human lives should be protected at all costs.
"This is why these figures prompt us as police to double up policing efforts to decrease contact crime," he said.
Violence against women continues to blight the statistics.
Between January and March this year, over 10,500 rapes were reported.
READ: Crime Stats | 7,555 people killed between October and December 2022
KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo both saw an increase.
Cele says nearly 5,000 of these happened at home.
"Reported cases have shown a decrease in the period of reporting with six provinces reporting less cases," he said.
"The decline in rape cases are attributed amongst other things the SAPS upscaling its operation to trace GBF perpetrators, arresting several sex offenders, rapists and ongoing dialogue with the communities.”