South Africa recorded an 8.7 percent decrease in murders during the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing battle against violent crime.
The drop translates to 602 fewer lives lost compared to the same period last year, according to crime statistics released by the South African Police Service.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the downward trend in murder rates has been sustained since the first quarter of 2023/24.
“Over two years, murder for this quarter period has dropped by 17.6 percent, translating to 1 359 fewer murders,” she said.
Five provinces – KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West – recorded double-digit reductions.
Smaller decreases were noted in the Western and Eastern Cape, while Limpopo and the Northern Cape saw slight increases.
Total contact crime, which includes all categories of violent crime, fell by 6.7 percent year-on-year, with 12,682 fewer cases reported.
Over two years, violent crime for this quarter is down 8.3 percent, or 15,763 fewer cases. Ntshavheni attributed the trend partly to enhanced policing operations.
Despite the overall progress, South Africa’s cabinet expressed concern over the murder of police officers.
Twenty-three officers were killed during the quarter, with nearly 80 percent of the deaths occurring while they were off duty.
The National Commissioner of SAPS has been tasked with conducting a full assessment to prevent further loss of life among law enforcement personnel.
JN/APA