By Mapaballo Borotho
- Johannesburg and Tshwane have been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the world according to the 2026 Numbeo Crime Index.
- DA spokesperson Michael Sun says the ranking reflects the harsh realities faced by communities in Gauteng.
- Authorities are attempting to combat crime through SANDF deployments, while SAPS continues to struggle with serious staff shortages.
The cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane have been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the world.
Tshwane is ranked number two out of 400 cities across the world, with a Crime Index of 81.1% and a Safety Index of 18.2%, while Johannesburg ranks number five with a Crime Index of 80.8% and a Safety Index of 19.2%.
This is according to the 2026 Crime Index released by Numbeo. The data reflects general perceptions of crime levels, safety and concerns about specific crimes including mugging, robbery, car theft and violent crime.
The information alone proves that the lives of Gauteng residents are under siege and, though there are many social ills, people are affected by crime the most.
DA spokesperson for Community Safety in Gauteng, Michael Sun, says the data shows the realities faced by Gauteng communities on a daily basis.
“These statistics align with the third-quarter crime statistics for the period ending December 2025, which show that in the City of Johannesburg, Jeppe Police Station ranks first, Johannesburg Central Police Station second, and Orange Farm Police Station third among the top 30 police stations for reported murders.
In the City of Tshwane, Temba Police Station ranks second highest among the top 30 police stations for reported rape cases, reflecting a 3.3% increase from the previous financial year. Meanwhile, Mamelodi ranks first in the province for reported carjackings, with an increase of 39% compared to the last financial year,” said Sun.
In its efforts to fight crime in crime-prone communities in Gauteng, the government deployed members of the South African National Defence Force to assist the men and women in blue in combating crime.
Though this deployment received a lot of criticism, particularly regarding its legality, the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Dakota Legoete assured that the deployment is fully supported by law.
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) reported critical shortages of human resources at station level, hindering officers’ ability to respond effectively, investigate thoroughly and support victims.
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