Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni have emerged as the epicentres of gun violence in Gauteng, with more than 2 800 shooting incidents recorded in the first five months of this year.
New figures reveal that 2 802 shooting incidents were documented between 1 January and 11 May 2026, with the majority linked to murder and attempted murder cases.
The statistics, disclosed by Premier Panyaza Lesufi in response to questions from the Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, show that 2 197 of these incidents relate to murder and attempted murder.
The City of Johannesburg recorded the highest number of cases with 1 077 incidents, followed by the City of Ekurhuleni with 848 cases.
DA Gauteng spokesperson for community safety Michael Sun said the figures exposed the scale of a crisis affecting communities across the province.
“Gunfire has become a daily reality, leaving people in violence-plagued communities wondering whether the next bullet will shatter their home, wound a loved one, or kill an innocent life,” Sun said.
The data revealed significant challenges in the criminal justice system, with only 609 cases (21%) resulting in arrests. Just 425 cases (15.1%) have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution.
ALSO READ: Manhunt launched after 12 killed in Johannesburg mass shooting
Recent incidents, including a mass shooting in Cleveland that claimed 12 lives, have highlighted the severity of gun violence in the province. Areas such as Westbury, Eldorado Park, and Bekkersdal continue to experience ongoing gang-related violence.
Sun called on the Gauteng Provincial Government and the South African Police Service to urgently address the escalating gun violence and remove illegal firearms from communities.
The DA proposed a three-pronged approach to tackle the crisis, including expediting investigations through a dedicated SAPS-NPA task team, intensifying efforts to combat illegal firearms by targeting criminal networks, and deploying technology such as gunshot detection systems and smart cameras.
The statistics position Gauteng at the top of the country’s crime statistics for shooting incidents and illegal firearm-related offences.
ALSO READ: Cleveland mass shooting may be linked to illegal mining turf war
