Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says the murder rate decreased by eight point seven  percent between October and December last year compared to the previous year.  He was speaking during the release of third quarter crime statistics in Pretoria. Cachalia says despite this, crime levels in the country remain unacceptably high, with extortions proving to be a stubborn stain in the country's fabric. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Senior Researcher at the Centre of Criminology at the University of Cape Town, Dr Simon Howell

<p>Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says the murder rate decreased by eight point seven &nbsp;percent between October and December last year compared to the previous year. &nbsp;He was speaking during the release of third quarter crime statistics in Pretoria. Cachalia says despite this, crime levels in the country remain unacceptably high, with extortions proving to be a stubborn stain in the country's fabric. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Senior Researcher at the Centre of Criminology at the University of Cape Town, Dr Simon Howell</p>

SAfm Current Affairs is home to three informative one-hour-long news and actuality radio shows. Brought to you by SABC News.

<p>SAfm Current Affairs is home to three informative one-hour-long news and actuality radio shows. Brought to you by SABC News.</p>