South Africa has recorded a notable drop in several major crime categories in the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, according to the latest national crime statistics released in Pretoria on Friday morning.
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia announced that contact crimes decreased by 3.1%, representing 4 999 fewer cases compared to the previous reporting period. Murder cases also saw a significant reduction of 11.5%, with 751 fewer incidents recorded.
Other serious crimes continued on a downward trend, declining by 3.9% (4 209 fewer cases). Property-related crimes dropped sharply by 10.2%, amounting to 8 455 fewer cases, while robbery with aggravating circumstances fell by 10.4%, with 3 689 fewer incidents reported between July and September 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Despite the positive movements in several categories, Cachalia warned that the country is still grappling with unacceptably high crime levels.
“There are categories that remain stubbornly high. We are continuing to record increases in sexual offences, gender-based violence and commercial crimes, which is a trend over the last five years,” he said
Cachalia emphasised that while the declines reflect progress in policing strategies, the rise in gender-based and sexual offences remains a serious concern that continues to demand urgent national attention.
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