The cabinet has commended Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and SAPS commissioner Bheki Cele for a downward trend in crime statistics.
"However, cabinet expressed its concern on the violent nature of the criminal activities across the various crime categories," government spokesman Jimmy Manyi told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday.
He said the cabinet, at its regular Wednesday meeting, also voiced concern over an increase in police killings.
It called on police officers to always wear protective clothing on all call-out assignments.
The cabinet expressed appreciation to various community groupings, including Lead SA, that had been helping the police in their efforts to fight crime, Manyi said.
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