Fourth quarter crime statistics in South Africa

(The Post News)- Police minister Senzo Mchunu has released the latest crime stats this morning, reflecting on the the crimes that have taken place during the last quarter of the financial year, between 1 January 2025 to march of 2025. Statistics show that all provinces of South Africa, aside from the Northern Cape, have indicated a decrease in murder crimes. Compared to statistics of the same quarter in the previous year, the current statistics pertaining 4 provinces that have contributed the most to murder crimes, offer some encouragement.

As in the previous year, Gauteng, kwazulu-natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape remain the four provinces that have had the most contributions to crime nationwide. Only about 13 stations reported lower counts of murder crimes amongst the top 30 police stations for murder, whilst only 2 reported to stay stagnant in counts. Mchunu says “we will continue to intensify our efforts to decrease the overall murder rates in the country, and other crimes.

Between the years 2024 and 2025, the trend in contact crime rates during the fourth quarter shows a noticeable decline with February indicating a record of the most significant drop. Across South Africa, there was a total decrease of 10 035 reported contact crimes. That is a -5.8% change. Specifically, Murder crimes, have seen a total count difference of 809 murders, between the fourth quarters of 2024 and 2025, across the country. The most commonly used weapon in these murders was a firearms.

The country has recorded a number of 22 police officers in total, who have unfortunately passed on. 6 officers died on duty, while 16 died off duty, with 10 of those in the Gauteng province. During the presentation, Mchunu says “An attack on police officers, is an attack on the state and those responsible will face the might of law”. This reflects a difference of only 1 murder case compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.