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Complex reality of crime in SA

Independent on Saturday

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May 24, 2025

SOUTH Africa continues to grapple with one of the highest crime rates globally, a crisis that transcends racial and socioeconomic boundaries.

The latest crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year reveal a complex picture: while the rates of certain violent crimes have decreased, others, notably sexual offences, have seen an uptick.

Murder rates have declined by 12.4%, with 5727 cases reported between January and March 2025, averaging 64 murders a day. This reduction is a positive development, yet the overall murder rate remains alarmingly high at approximately 44 per 100000 people. This is significantly above the global average of about six per 100 000.

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