Decline in murders brings little

Despite the recent reduction in the murder rate, it is still too early to declare that SA is 'winning the war' on violent crime.

- By Vincent Cruywagen, Suné Payne, Nonkululeko Njilo, Bheki C Simelane and Naledi Mashishi

Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia presented the crime statistics for April to September 2025.

(Photo: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)

Lefa Moino (21) was murdered in Johannesburg in November. His mother, Sarha, has a message for the police minister: "I don't know if the official crime stats mean anything at all to me. We see people die daily right where we live, and it's not just natural deaths, it's murders.

Cedric Ross (16) was murdered in Atlantis in August. His mother, Rochelle, said: "Our children are being killed like flies. If this so-called decrease could actually stop the bodies lying in our streets, then we could celebrate. But not now."

Olorato Mongale (30) was killed in May in Johannesburg. Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda said: "One life taken away is too many. These numbers mean nothing for most of us. I would like to see stats that show real consequence management."

Presenting the crime statistics on 28 November for the period April to September 2025, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia echoed these sentiments of many families and communities, who are angry and afraid. "I understand and respect your worries about the lack of security, since too many criminals escape justice. I know what it feels like to be mugged in the street, to be raided in one's home, and my heart goes out to those whose lives have been shattered when their loved ones are killed, injured or traumatised as a result of violent crime."

'One life is too many'