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  • keyboard_arrow_rightMurder and sexual offences decrease, but concerns remain over South Africa’s ‘lived reality’

Murder and sexual offences decrease, but concerns remain over South Africa’s ‘lived reality’

By Mapaballo Borotho

Murder and sexual offences decrease, but concerns remain over South Africa’s ‘lived reality’
Image @ActionSA
  • Murder cases in South Africa fell by 5.9% to 5,427 during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.
  • Sexual offences also decreased marginally, while robbery with aggravating circumstances dropped by 14.7%.
  • However, Amnesty International says thousands of reported rape cases and gaps in disaggregated crime data raise concerns about the true scale of violence in the country.

Murder cases in South Africa decreased by 5.9%, from 5,770 to 5,427 cases, during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

This means there were 343 fewer murders compared with the same period last year.

The statistics were presented by Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane on Friday, 28 August 2026.

“However, 5,427 murders in 90 days remain 5,427 too many. Every death represents a life lost and a family devastated,” said Dimpane.

The Acting Commissioner added that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will direct resources, personnel and operational deployments towards areas and crime categories where the current picture demands a more decisive response.

Meanwhile, sexual offences decreased marginally by 0.8%, while robbery with aggravating circumstances declined by 14.7%.

“We arrested 1,618 suspects for murder, 1,581 for attempted murder, 1,935 for rape and 16,503 for assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm,” she said.

Amnesty raises concerns

Reacting to the latest crime statistics, Amnesty International said the full scale of violence against women in South Africa remains unclear.

“Despite a slight decrease in the number of reported sexual offences, including rape, the number of these cases remains a concern,” said Amnesty International Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed.

“The most recent quarterly crime statistics, covering April 2026 to June 2026, recorded 9,201 reported rapes. While this was down 0.3% from the same period last year, this still amounts to just over 100 rapes a day,” she said.

Mohamed says that in August 2025, the South African Police Service (SAPS) suspended the publication of disaggregated crime data, including statistics related to the murder and assault of women and children, citing accuracy concerns that required investigation before the matter could be resolved.

“Reliable data is not a technical detail; it is a prerequisite for accountability. When critical information about the killings and assaults of women is missing from official statistics, it undermines efforts to prevent violence, allocate resources effectively and hold those responsible to account,” she said.

Dimpane assured that SAPS will continue to pursue criminals, dismantle criminal networks, protect communities and uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.

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