Crime Still ‘Unacceptably High’ Despite Declines – SA Police Minister

PRETORIA – South Africa recorded a continued decline in several major crime categories in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, but authorities warn that overall levels remain “unacceptably high” and uneven across the country.

Speaking in Pretoria on Friday, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the latest figures, covering 1 October to 31 December 2025, show decreases in most violent and property crimes, including murder, rape and robbery. The quarterly release, he said, reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Cachalia said murders declined by 8.7% compared with the same period the previous year, representing 602 fewer deaths. Over the past two years, quarter-three murders have dropped by 17.6%, or 1 359 fewer cases.

Total contact crime, which includes all categories of violent offences, fell by 6.7% year-on-year, amounting to 12 682 fewer reported incidents. Over a two-year period, violent crime for the quarter is down by 8.3%.

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Despite the improvement, the minister cautioned that crime levels remain severe and that patterns differ widely between provinces and communities.

Double-digit murder reductions were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State and the North West, while decreases were smaller in the Western and Eastern Cape. Slight increases were recorded in Limpopo and the Northern Cape, and only half of the country’s 30 highest-murder precincts showed improvements.

Gang-related killings in the Eastern and Western Cape remain a major concern.

Cachalia expressed concern about a rise in the killing of police officers, noting that nearly 80% of the 23 officers who died during the quarter were off duty. He said SAPS management would examine measures to better protect members.

Firearms continue to be the leading weapon used in murders, robberies and organised crime. The minister said additional measures are planned to remove illegal guns and prevent legally owned firearms from falling into criminal hands.

The government continues to treat gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster, with police strengthening investigative capacity. Over the past year, SAPS has deployed an additional 999 members to detective services to bolster case investigations.

Authorities are also implementing the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy, which aims to coordinate responses across sectors such as health, education and social development to address the root causes of crime.

Cachalia announced that a MinMec meeting with provincial community safety leaders and premiers will take place on 6 March to align crime-prevention efforts across all spheres of government.

Plans are also underway to introduce a national community patroller programme. Community members would receive training and stipends to help improve safety in public spaces such as transport hubs, schools and walkways, though they will not perform policing duties.

Echoing recent government priorities, Cachalia said organised crime is now considered one of the most immediate threats to South Africa’s democracy and economic stability. He noted that many forms of organised criminal activity, including extortion and corruption, are under-reported and therefore not fully reflected in crime statistics.

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The government has established a dedicated task team to investigate alleged criminality among senior police officials and municipal leaders flagged in the interim findings of the Madlanga Commission.

Authorities plan to intensify vetting and lifestyle audits of senior officials while strengthening specialised investigative capabilities to dismantle criminal networks.

In high-risk areas affected by gang violence and illegal mining, security operations will be reinforced, including support from the South African National Defence Force under SAPS command.

Cachalia said the latest statistics show progress but stressed that crime continues to devastate communities and requires a coordinated national response.

“By adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, together we can make South Africa a safer place,” he said.