If you live in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal you are more likely to be killed. More than 80% of the murders in the country take place in these four provinces, with the per-capita murder rate being in the Eastern Cape (14,8 murders per 100 000 people) and the Western Cape (12,8 murders per 100 000 people).
Four of the top 10 stations with the highest murder rate are in the Western Cape — Cape Town Central (1), Mitchells Plain (2), Mfuleni (5) and Delft (10).
Fourth Quarter
Acting Minister of Police Prof Firoz Cachalia announced the national crime statistics for the fourth quarter (January to March 2026), and what stands out is that, nationally, serious crime is down, but still unacceptably high.
He said contact crimes (where there is direct contact between perpetrator and victim) had declined by 4,6%. “That means 7 405 fewer cases of violent crimes were reported compared to the same quarter last year. This trend started in 2024, with violent crime having dropped by 10,2% since then, resulting in 17 440 fewer cases reported compared to this latest quarter.”
Cachalia zoomed in on the murder rate, which decreased nationally by 9.5%. “In the same quarter of last year, 5 727 people were murdered. That number has come down to 5 181. That means 546 fewer lives lost, and fewer grief-stricken families and friends. Compared to the same quarter in 2024, there were 1 355 fewer murders or a 20,7% decrease. As this is our most reliable crime statistic we pay particularly close attention to the data and information on murders.
It was also heartening to see double digit decreases in the serious armed robberies that make up the trio crimes. There has been a 20,4% reduction in house robberies, 18,3% in business robberies and 22% reduction in the robberies of non-residential premises compared to the same period last year.
“I also welcome the slight 2% decrease in kidnappings given the substantial increases in this crime category since 2021 and 2022,” Cachalia said.
Safety not guaranteed
He said a decrease in crime is not a guarantee of safety. “But I must also be clear; the levels of violence and criminality in South Africa remain far too high. A decrease in crime is not the same as achieving safety. The levels of crime are still unacceptably high, with 58 murders per day on average during this quarter.”
Another interesting fact from crime statitistics is that crime patterns show substantial variations across the country. While Gauteng, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal all
recorded notable decreases in murders these four provinces recorded more than 80% of all murders in South Africa.
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