JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — Forty-two people are murdered a day in South Africa and sex crimes remain high despite small annual falls, statistics showed yesterday, in one of the world's most violent societies.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said murders had continued a downward trend since the end of apartheid in 1994 and had been reduced by 27.6 per cent from more than 18,000 recorded eight years ago for the year ended in March.

"We are not there yet, but with the participation of all sectors of society, we are turning the tide against crime," he said, presenting the country's annual crime statistics.

"We must win the battle against crime, in whatever form it manifests itself. Crime affects all the people of our country across class, gender, religion and colour. It is our common enemy and collectively, we shall defeat this scourge."

South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world outside of conflict zones, with a murder rate surpassed only by Latin American nations embroiled in gruesome battles with narco-traffickers.