SA Crime Stats Show Major Drops in Key Offences, But Some Categories Rise

The data covers the period from April to September, reflecting shifting crime trends across the country.

South Africa has recorded significant reductions in several major crime categories during the first two quarters of the 2025/26 financial year, according to crime statistics released on Friday by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The data covers the period from April to September, reflecting shifting crime trends across the country.

Presenting the statistics in Pretoria, Crime Registrar Major-General Norman Sekhukhune said the latest figures show encouraging progress in high-impact crime categories, although some offences have seen troubling increases.

Major Reductions Across Serious Crime Categories

Several serious and contact crimes recorded notable declines when compared with the same reporting period in 2024. These include:

Murder

• 2024: 6 545 cases

• 2025: 5 794 cases

• Difference: 751 fewer cases This marks one of the most substantial declines, signaling improved policing interventions and targeted operations in high-risk areas.

Common Assault

• 2024: 42 721 cases

• 2025: 41 978 cases

• Reduction: 0.7%

Sexual Assault

• 2024: 1 839 cases

• 2025: 1 827 cases

• Reduction: 0.7%

Carjacking

• 2024: 5 447 cases

• 2025: 4 778 cases

• Reduction: 12.3% Carjacking remains one of the most persistent and organised crime types in South Africa, making this double-digit decline particularly meaningful.

Robbery at Residential Premises

• 2024: 5 967 cases

• 2025: 5 103 cases

• Reduction: 14.5%

Robbery at Non-Residential Premises

• 2024: 3 873 cases

• 2025: 3 044 cases

• Reduction: 21.4% This category includes business robberies and incidents affecting shops, warehouses, and commercial properties.

Cash-in-Transit (CIT) Heists

• 2024: 40 cases

• 2025: 24 cases

• Difference: 16 fewer cases The reduction reflects intensified coordination between SAPS, private security, and specialised task teams.

Overall Decline in Contact Crime

Between July and September 2025, SAPS recorded approximately 155 000 contact crimes, compared to over 160 000 during the same period in 2024. This marks a notable decrease across crimes involving violence or threats of violence.

Police credited the improvements to enhanced intelligence operations, community policing efforts, and collaborative strategies involving multiple law-enforcement clusters.

Categories That Experienced Increases

Despite the positive trend, some crime categories have risen, prompting concern from SAPS leadership.

These include:

• Attempted murder

• Attempted sexual assault

• Common assault

• Contact sexual offences

Major-General Sekhukhune cautioned that while overall contact crime has decreased, specific categories within this grouping are showing upward trends that require additional focus and targeted interventions.

SAPS Response and Crime Prevention Efforts

Law enforcement officials emphasised that the latest data demonstrates progress in combating violent and organised crime, particularly in areas that have traditionally been high-risk. However, the increases in attempted violent crimes highlight the need for:

• Strengthened early-intervention policing

• Expanded community awareness campaigns

• Enhanced visibility operations

• Improved coordination with other criminal justice entities

SAPS noted that while progress is evident, consistent monitoring and rapid tactical adjustments are crucial to maintain downward trends and address areas experiencing crime spikes.

Community Role Remains Critical

Police urged communities to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and continue working with community policing forums (CPFs) to improve safety. Officials stressed that sustainable crime reduction relies on cooperation between citizens, SAPS, private security, and government departments.

A Mixed but Encouraging Picture

While some categories show worrying increases, the overall decline in major violent and organised crimes—particularly murder, carjacking, and robberies—signals momentum in South Africa’s crime-fighting efforts. SAPS says it will continue intensifying strategies targeting prolific offenders, organised criminal groups, and high-crime hotspots.