Gauteng has recorded an increase in kidnapping cases during the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, according to crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
The provincial crime figures, covering the period from January to March 2026, were presented during a briefing at the Radisson Hotel in Kempton Park. The event was attended by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and presided over by Gauteng Provincial Legislature Chairperson Dr Bandile Masuku. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni delivered the crime overview alongside senior SAPS officials.
According to SAPS, a total of 36,122 suspects were arrested across the province during the quarter. The arrests included 155 suspects linked to murder cases, 220 for robbery-related crimes, 1,993 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 6,726 for drug-related offences, and 150 for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Mthombeni attributed the high number of arrests to intensified policing operations, including Operation Shanela and other crime-fighting initiatives conducted throughout the province. He further revealed that 11,715 of those arrested were undocumented foreign nationals.
While SAPS highlighted kidnapping as one of the crime categories that increased during the reporting period, detailed figures relating to kidnapping cases were not immediately released. The full provincial crime statistics report is expected to be published by SAPS Gauteng following the briefing.
The latest figures come amid growing public concern over kidnapping incidents in Gauteng, with law enforcement authorities pledging to strengthen efforts aimed at combating serious and violent crime across the province.
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