Shocking statistics released by the MEC for Safety and Liaison in the Eastern Cape has shown an alarmingly high incidence of crimes against women and children in the province, coupled with a dismal conviction rate -- but activists say that government should stop doing the same thing over and over and expect different results.

From April 2018 to March 2019 2,695 children were raped in the Eastern Cape and 375 were sexually assaulted, 4,082 women were raped and 432 sexually assaulted. The total number of crimes against women and children, including murder, attempted murder, assault and robbery was more than 29,000 -- almost 1,000 more than the previous year.

Of cases opened with the police, MEC for Safety and Liaison in the Eastern Cape, Weziwe Tikana, said there were 399 convictions in cases where children were raped and only 40 convictions for the 153 children murdered during the same period.

Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana. (Photo: supplied)

Of the 507 cases opened after women were killed in the province, only 151 resulted in convictions. There were only 637 convictions for rape -- a rate of 15%.

Tikana cited liquor outlets that were open for 24...