Drop in Crime
By Nkosana Khumalo
Cape Town – While South Africa’s crime levels remain a serious concern, the government has welcomed a noticeable drop in several crime categories, crediting the hard work of the South African Police Service (SAPS). In a statement released on Thursday, 26 February 2025, Cabinet expressed cautious optimism about the latest crime statistics, saying, “While overall levels of crime continue to remain unacceptably high, the decline shows that interventions by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to make South Africa safer are making a difference.” This comes as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu unveiled the Quarterly Crime Statistics for the third quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2024), revealing progress in the fight against crime.
A Step Forward in the Fight Against Crime
South Africa has long grappled with high crime rates, from violent offences like murder and rape to property crimes such as carjackings and robberies. However, the latest crime stats, presented by Minister Mchunu on Friday, 21 February 2025, paint a picture of hope amid ongoing challenges. The third quarter figures show a significant decline in several key crime categories, offering a glimmer of relief to communities weary of living in fear.
According to the stats, murders dropped by 9.8%, rape cases decreased by 3.3%, and attempted sexual offences fell by 3.2%. Carjackings and robberies also saw notable reductions, reflecting the impact of targeted policing efforts. Cabinet hailed these improvements as evidence that SAPS strategies are starting to bear fruit, even as the country continues to face a crime crisis that demands sustained action.
“Fighting crime is a shared responsibility between the police, the community and the business sector,” Cabinet said in its statement following a meeting on Wednesday, 25 February 2025. This call for unity underscores the government’s belief that law enforcement alone cannot solve South Africa’s crime problem – it needs everyone to pitch in.
SAPS Efforts Yield Results
The South African Police Service has been under immense pressure to curb crime, with citizens and leaders alike demanding safer streets. Over the past year, SAPS has rolled out several initiatives aimed at tackling high-priority crimes. One standout effort has been Operation Shanela, a high-density policing strategy that has led to over 262,000 arrests nationwide since its launch in 2023. During the third quarter of 2024 alone, this operation contributed to thousands of arrests and disrupted criminal networks across provinces.
Minister Mchunu, speaking at the crime stats briefing in Pretoria, highlighted the importance of adapting police tactics to meet evolving challenges. “We are positioning ourselves accordingly in terms of policing whilst we continue our work throughout the whole country,” he said. He acknowledged the reductions but was quick to add that more needs to be done. “We welcome the declines, but we cannot rest. Crime levels are still too high, and we must keep pushing forward,” Mchunu stressed.
The Safer Festive Season campaign, launched in October 2024, also played a key role in the third quarter’s success. Timed to coincide with the busy holiday period, this initiative saw increased police visibility, roadblocks, and community engagement efforts. SAPS deployed additional officers to hotspots, conducted sting operations, and confiscated illegal firearms and drugs – moves that analysts say helped drive down murder and robbery rates.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The third quarter crime statistics offer a detailed look at where South Africa is winning – and where challenges persist. Here’s a closer breakdown of the key figures:
• Murder: Down by 9.8%, with all provinces recording fewer cases. However, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal remain the biggest contributors, accounting for 25% and 21.4% of the national total, respectively. The Eastern Cape (18.9%) and Western Cape (17.4%) also feature prominently.
• Rape: A 3.3% reduction is a step in the right direction, though Mchunu noted increases in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Free State – a reminder that gender-based violence (GBV) remains a stubborn scourge.
• Attempted Sexual Offences: Dropped by 3.2%, reflecting improved policing in some areas, though rural communities continue to report under-resourcing.
• Carjackings: A standout success, with a decline of over 19% compared to the same period in 2023. This drop has been linked to targeted operations in urban centres like Johannesburg and Durban.
• Robberies: Both residential and non-residential robberies saw declines, bolstered by community policing forums and private security partnerships.Despite these gains, some categories bucked the trend. Attempted murder cases against children aged 0-17 rose, a development Mchunu called “alarming”. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property also increased, pointing to ongoing social tensions in many communities.
Cabinet Calls for Community Action
While SAPS efforts are paying off, Cabinet made it clear that the police cannot do it alone. On Thursday, the government urged South Africans to step up and help turn the tide against crime. “We call on all citizens to play their part by reporting any criminal activity to their nearest police station or calling the Crime Stop number: 08600 10111,” the statement read.
This plea echoes a growing sentiment that crime is not just a policing issue but a societal one. Communities, businesses, and even schools have a role to play, whether by forming neighbourhood watches, supporting victims, or educating youth about the dangers of crime. Minister Mchunu reinforced this message during his briefing, appealing to residents to “work hand in hand with law enforcement.”
In Gauteng, for example, Premier Panyaza Lesufi recently handed over 209 new police vehicles to SAPS in November 2024, a move aimed at boosting visibility and response times. “In the last 18 months, we’ve given SAPS over 700 new cars,” Lesufi said at the time, highlighting the province’s commitment to supporting police efforts. Similar initiatives in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have also bolstered SAPS capacity, contributing to the third quarter’s declines.
Hotspots and Persistent Challenges
Even with the good news, South Africa’s crime hotspots remain a thorn in the side of progress. Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape continue to dominate the murder stats, accounting for over 80% of cases nationwide. Gang violence, firearm-related crimes, and extortion rackets are major drivers in these provinces, particularly in areas like Mitchells Plain, Manenberg, and Delft in the Western Cape.
In response, SAPS has scheduled a special review of policing strategies in high-murder zones for Thursday, 6 March 2025. Mchunu said this meeting will focus on reallocating resources, intensifying intelligence operations, and addressing public concerns about extortion, kidnappings, and drug trafficking – issues that have sparked outrage on social media and in community forums.
Gender-based violence also remains a critical concern. While rape cases dropped overall, the increases in certain provinces signal that GBV interventions need a sharper focus. The Select Committee on Security and Justice, chaired by Ms Jane Mananiso, praised SAPS for reducing GBV stats but urged further action. “Although we are happy with the decrease, many in South Africa still fall victim to crime,” Mananiso said on 26 February 2025. The committee plans to hold talks with SAPS and Western Cape communities in April 2025 to tackle gang-related GBV and extortion.
Technology and Innovation in Policing
Looking ahead, SAPS is banking on technology to give it an edge. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his State of the Nation Address on 6 February 2025, announced plans to roll out “smart policing” solutions, including surveillance systems, data analytics, and AI-driven crime mapping. “We have seen the value of technology in fighting crime,” Ramaphosa said, pointing to the South African Revenue Service’s success with AI in detecting fraud.
These innovations could help SAPS predict crime hotspots, track suspects, and streamline investigations. In the Western Cape, for instance, drone patrols and CCTV networks have already cut response times in gang-heavy areas. Gauteng’s new police vehicles also come equipped with GPS and communication upgrades, making officers more agile on the ground.
Experts say this tech-driven approach could be a game-changer, but only if paired with adequate training and funding. “SAPS has the will, but they need the tools and the people to make it work,” said Dr Johan Burger, a crime analyst at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
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