The 34-year-old female who was allegedly raped and set alight on Friday, 7 October, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday.

The incident took place in Lethabo Park in Roodepan, Kimberley, on Friday at about 20:20.

Lt Col. Sergio Kock, police spokesperson, said the victim was apparently raped by three unknown men who later set her alight with paraffin. She was found in front of a shanty in Lethabo Park.

Although she received medical treatment, she remained in a critical condition and later passed away.

Kock said the Galeshewe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is investigating the rape and murder of the victim.

Anyone with information must urgently call D/WO Lesego Oliphant on 082-495-4605 or Capt. Sebata Tsiu on 082-874-4613.

Information can also be sent anonymously via SMS to 32211 or through use of the MySAPS app. The investigation continues.

• Violent crimes committed against women and children recorded alarmingly high and unacceptable levels in the 2022-’23 crime statistics of quarter one, which was released on 19 August by police minister, Gen. Bheke Cele.

These statistics reflected crimes that were reported to the police from April to June.

At this occasion, Cele said that while rape cases have declined in seven provinces, the Northern Cape and North West were the only provinces to report increases in the rape crime category.

In this period, 3 780 of the rapes took place in the homes of the rapists or homes of the victims, while 1 546 people were raped in public places such as streets, parks and beaches.

Public transportation such as buses, taxis and trains are the third most likely places of occurrence for rape cases, Cele said.

From April to June this year, 286 rapists were convicted through investigative work done by the FCS unit. Out of the 286 rape convictions, 46 of the rapists were sentenced to life behind bars.

Cele announced an increase of 664 more people murdered in this period. From April to June, 855 women and 243 children were killed in South Africa.

More than 11 000 assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (Assault GBH) cases, with female victims, were reported to the police, and 1 670 of such cases involved children.