GAUTENG MURDERS FALL, HEISTS RISE

Slight national improvements recorded as crime stats released

- ANITA NKONKI

WHILE Gauteng saw decreases in several major crime categories this quarter, including murders and contact crimes, certain serious offences such as attempted murder and cash-in-transit heists remain on the rise.

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia briefed the media yesterday on the release of the third-quarter crime statistics, covering the period from October 1 to December 31, 2025.

The country's murder figures fell by 8.7%, while overall violent crime declined by 6.7% during the same period. Of the 30 precincts with the highest murder rates, only 15 recorded decreases.

"Most violent crime categories, including murder, rape and robbery, as well as most property-related crimes such as theft and burglary, continued to decrease, but remain at unacceptably high levels," he said.

Gauteng, the country's economic hub, also recorded increases in arson, commercial crime, shoplifting, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and sexual offences detected through police action.

Some of the major crime categories in Gauteng showed decreases in the latest quarter. Contact crimes fell by 6.7%, murders declined by 8.7%, sexual offences dropped by 2.8%, common robbery decreased by 7.0%, and property-related crimes also recorded a decline.