Pretoria – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has announced that murder declined by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2025 (October to December), with 602 fewer cases recorded.
Overall, violent crime dropped by 6.7% compared to the same period last year, continuing a downward trend that began in 2023 after more than a decade of annual murder increases.
Over the past two years, third-quarter murders have fallen by 17.6%, while total violent crime has declined by 8.3%. Five provinces — KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West — recorded double-digit decreases in murder, although Limpopo and Northern Cape saw slight increases. Gang-related killings in the Eastern and Western Cape remain a major concern.
WATCH | Prof. Firoz Cachalia says while double-digit reductions in murder were seen in five provinces – KZN, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, and North West – much smaller decreases were recorded in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, with slight increases in Limpopo and Northern… pic.twitter.com/YedPcnudeK
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 20, 2026
Cachalia described the figures as grounds for “cautious optimism” but stressed that crime levels remain unacceptably high and uneven across communities. He also raised alarm over the killing of 23 police officers during the quarter, most of whom were off duty, and highlighted firearms as the main weapon used in murders and robberies.
Government priorities include tackling organised crime, gender-based violence and corruption, strengthening vetting and lifestyle audits within SAPS, deploying specialised units and the defence force in high-risk areas, and launching a national community patroller programme. Cachalia emphasised a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to improving public safety, while warning communities against vigilantism.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
