South Africa recorded a decrease in several serious crime categories during the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, but police say violence levels in the country remain “far too high”.
Speaking during the release of the latest national crime statistics on Friday, 22 May, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said murder cases dropped by 9,5% between January and March this year.
According to the statistics, 5 181 murders were recorded during the quarter, 546 fewer than the same period last year. Violent crimes overall declined by 4,6%, while house robberies dropped by 20,4% and business robberies by 18,3%.
Despite the improvement, Cachalia warned that the country still averages 58 murders every day.
“A decrease in crime is not the same as achieving safety,” he said. The statistics revealed major differences between provinces. While Gauteng recorded the highest number of murders overall, the Eastern Cape had the highest murder rate per population, followed by the Western Cape.
Police also raised concern over violence happening inside homes and communities.
Nearly half of all rape cases during the quarter took place at either the victim’s or perpetrator’s home, while arguments, revenge and vigilantism contributed to hundreds of murders.
Alcohol abuse was identified as a major factor, with more than 7 200 violent incidents linked to alcohol use during the three-month period.
Organised crime syndicates also remain a serious threat, especially in Gauteng, where most carjackings, kidnappings and cash-in-transit robberies occur.
Police further warned about the growing impact of extortion networks and cyber-related commercial crime.
Cachalia announced plans for a multi-year “police reset agenda” aimed at strengthening policing, tackling organised crime and rebuilding public trust in the SAPS. Proposed measures include stronger intelligence capabilities, upgrading police stations and introducing trained community patrollers in crime hotspots. (MALISSA SPIES)
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