Police
By Thobeka Makume
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, alongside the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, is set to present the latest quarterly crime statistics on Friday, 23 May 2025. The briefing will reflect on crime trends recorded across South Africa during the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year—covering the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025.
The highly anticipated media event will take place at 10:00 at the GCIS Auditorium, Tshedimosetso House, situated at the corner of Francis Baard and Festival Streets in Hatfield, Pretoria.
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Insight into National Safety: Crime Trends Under the Spotlight
The quarterly #CrimeStats presentation is a cornerstone of the South African Police Service’s commitment to public transparency and accountability. These statistics provide insight into the progress made in fighting crime and offer a snapshot of persistent challenges confronting the police service and the nation at large.
The fourth quarter figures come at a time when violent crime, economic-related crimes, and gender-based violence remain top concerns for South African communities. Friday’s media briefing will allow law enforcement leadership to detail emerging crime patterns, highlight key successes, and outline revised policing strategies going into the 2025/26 financial year.
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Categories Expected to Be Addressed
The Q4 2024/25 crime statistics will cover a range of categories that are traditionally released, including:
• Contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault, sexual offences, and robbery.
• Contact-related crimes, particularly arson and malicious damage to property.
• Property-related crimes, including burglary (residential and business), theft of and from motor vehicles, and stock theft.
• Crimes dependent on police action for detection, such as drug-related offences, illegal firearms possession, and driving under the influence.
• Commercial crimes, including fraud, corruption, and cybercrime.
• Crimes against women and children, a recurring area of national concern.
In addition to national overviews, statistics are often broken down by province, metro, and police precinct, offering data-driven insight into regional trends and specific problem areas.
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Minister Mchunu’s Mandate and Leadership Style
Appointed in 2024, Senzo Mchunu has consistently called for professionalism, accountability, and intelligence-led policing. His upcoming address will likely reinforce these priorities while reflecting on SAPS’s operational gains and setbacks during the quarter under review.
Mchunu has repeatedly emphasised the need to rebuild public trust in law enforcement, particularly following criticism of police responses in previous years during public unrest and high-profile crimes.
“Our duty is to protect life and property, to serve without prejudice, and to bring offenders to justice. These crime statistics are not just numbers—they reflect the lives and safety of every South African,” Mchunu previously said during the Q3 briefing.
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Commissioner Masemola’s Focus on Tactical and Crime Intelligence Integration
General Fannie Masemola, who has been leading SAPS since 2022, is expected to provide operational details on police efforts to combat crime over the past quarter. His leadership has focused on strengthening crime intelligence, improving police visibility, and professionalising detective services.
Masemola is also likely to speak to policing interventions deployed in gang-ridden communities, high-crime hotspots, and cross-border criminal activity, particularly in provinces like Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.
“We are shifting SAPS towards greater intelligence-driven deployment. We cannot afford reactive policing alone—proactive planning is key,” Masemola told the media during a previous update.
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Public Expectations Ahead of the Briefing
Civil society organisations, crime researchers, and community policing forums are all eagerly awaiting the new data. In recent quarters, concern has been raised over the stubbornly high rates of gender-based violence, targeted killings, and organised crime.
The Q3 2024/25 stats revealed a moderate drop in overall murder cases but a worrying spike in kidnappings, extortion, and ATM bombings. The Q4 stats will either confirm or challenge those trends.
Further, the public will be watching to see whether police interventions—like the deployment of Tactical Response Teams and enhanced border policing—have begun to deliver tangible results.
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The Broader Crime and Safety Context
The period under review, from January to March 2025, included several high-profile crimes that attracted national media attention. These included mass shootings in KwaZulu-Natal, taxi violence in the Western Cape, and sophisticated cyberattacks targeting retail chains.
Additionally, the increase in counterfeit goods and illegal mining operations are likely to feature in the commercial crime and specialised units’ updates.
Other key areas expected to be addressed:
• Prosecutions and arrests linked to state capture-related investigations
• Police internal disciplinary processes and corruption allegations
• Community safety partnerships and volunteer programmes
• Digital policing technologies and modernisation of SAPS systems
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