More than half of police precincts in the Lejweleputswa district recorded lower crime rates in the past year, according to the latest SAPS statistics.

A total of 12 of the district’s 21 precincts reported fewer crimes between April 2025 and March 2026 compared to the previous year, while five recorded increases and four remained stable.

The district recorded 10 634 violent crimes and 4 260 property crimes during the period. Violent crimes include murder, assault, robbery and rape, while property crimes cover burglary, theft and vehicle-related offences.

Ventersburg showed the most significant improvement with an 18% decline in reported crimes. Theunissen followed with a 17,4% drop, while Meloding, Wesselsbron and Welkom recorded decreases of 15,3%, 15,1% and 13,8% respectively.

Among larger precincts with more than 200 reported crimes, Welkom registered the biggest absolute reduction, followed by Thabong, which saw crime fall by 12,6%.

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Three precincts bucked the positive trend. Bothaville recorded a 6,5% increase in crime, while Allanridge and Winburg reported rises of 5,9% and 5,7% respectively.

Four precincts remained stable with changes within 2% – Boshof, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus and Sunrise View.

The statistics cover SAPS quarterly data published on 29 May.