Pretoria: With the South African Police Service (SAPS) having released Quarter 3 2025/26 crime statistics last week, Cabinet says the national picture painted by these statistics indicates progress, while more work still needs to be done.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni highlighted that the downward trend in murder rates, which began in Q1 of 2023/24, has continued. The statistics show an 8.7% decrease in murder cases, equating to 602 fewer lives lost compared to the same period last year. Over a span of two years, the murder rate for this quarter has decreased by 17.6%, translating to 1,359 fewer murders.
The Minister noted significant reductions in murder rates in five provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, and the North West. However, smaller decreases were noted in the Western and Eastern Cape, with slight increases in Limpopo and the Northern Cape. Among the 30 highest-murder precincts nationally, only 15 recorded reductions, underscoring the need for focused community-level interventions.
Cabinet expressed concern over the rising number of police officer murders, with 23 officers losing their lives this quarter, approximately 80% of whom were off duty. The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service has been tasked with conducting a thorough assessment to prevent these deaths.
Regarding overall crime, Ntshavheni reported a 6.7% decrease in total contact crime, resulting in 12,682 fewer cases reported to SAPS compared to the same quarter last year. Over two years, total violent crime for this quarter has decreased by 8.3%, or 15,763 fewer cases, attributed partly to enhanced policing operations.
The Minister also commented on the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) report on Home Affairs, praising the unit for its efforts in closing outstanding gaps and ensuring justice for perpetrators. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Proclamation authorizing the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and fraud in VISA application processes, with the goal of safeguarding the integrity of South Africa’s official documents and immigration system.
Cabinet commended the Department of Home Affairs for its progress in strengthening the country’s immigration system since initial allegations of fraud and corruption were discovered. – SAnews.gov.za