By Mapaballo Borotho
- Firoz Cachalia says serious crimes in South Africa dropped by 4.6% between January and March 2026, with murders decreasing by more than 20% compared to the same period last year.
- While house robberies, business robberies, and kidnappings also declined, authorities warned that violent crime levels remain alarmingly high, with an average of 58 murders recorded daily.
- Cachalia further highlighted alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and illegal immigration concerns while warning against vigilantism and public disorder.
Serious crimes in South Africa decreased by 4.6% nationally during the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, covering the period from January to March 2026.
Compared to the same period last year, this translates to 7,405 fewer violent crime cases reported across the country.
These statistics were confirmed by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia on Friday afternoon, 22 May 2026.
Cachalia said the national murder rate also decreased by 9.5%, meaning 546 fewer lives were lost compared to the same quarter last year.
“Compared to the same quarter in 2024, there were 1,355 fewer murders, representing a 20.7% decrease. As this is our most reliable crime statistic, we pay particular attention to the data and information on murders,” said Cachalia.
Breakdown of crime statistics during the 2025/26 financial year
The country recorded a 20.4% decrease in house robberies, an 18.3% decrease in business robberies, and a 22% reduction in robberies at non-residential premises compared to the same period last year.
Kidnappings also saw a slight decrease of 2%.
Cachalia attributed these reductions to the work of the South African Police Service and partnerships with communities.
“However, 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 an average of 58 murders per day during this quarter,” he added.
Organised crime remains particularly high, with Gauteng accounting for 57.1% of all carjackings in the country, 48.4% of all cash‑in‑transit robberies. and 54.8% of all kidnappings.
Provinces recording the highest crime rates
Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 80% of all murders recorded in the country during this quarter.
Although Gauteng recorded the highest number of murders, the risk of being murdered in the province was reportedly half that of the Eastern Cape.
The remaining five provinces all recorded lower murder rates than Gauteng, with Limpopo having the lowest rate at 2.9.
Factors contributing to violent crime
Cachalia said most violent crimes occurred in the homes of either the victim or the perpetrator, despite homes being places where people are expected to feel safest.
More than 1,000 murders occurred at the residences of either the victim or perpetrator.
At the same time, nearly half of all rapes recorded during the quarter – 47.2% – took place at the home of the victim or perpetrator.
“That is 4,620 out of 9,782 rapes committed not in dark alleys by strangers, but in homes, by people known to the victim,” he added.
“Alcohol remains a powerful accelerant of this violence. In this quarter, 7,267 incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, attempted murder, and murder were linked to alcohol use.”
The issue of immigration
The Acting Police Minister said the South African Constitution allows for legal im/migration, not illegal immigration.
He said these laws are enforced by police officers at the country’s borders.
“Our laws also include the right to protest, but do not permit vigilantism, criminality, and chaos in public. The police have the responsibility to maintain public peace and will enforce the law to ensure that public order is maintained.”
