By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, released the quarterly crime statistics covering the period from October 1- December 2025 .
In his address, Cachalia made mention that murder had gone down by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2025, and overall violent crime had gone down by 6.7% during the same quarterly period.
“Our people are entitled to know how many crimes are reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on a regular basis, and whether different categories are showing an increase or decrease in precincts where communities live” said Cachalia in his address.
“We share this information so that communities, businesses and public service departments have a sense of what is happening in their neighbourhoods in terms of crime and related risks” he continued in his speech.
Cachalia said that there is a major point to prioritise organised crime and Gender-based violence to be dealt with in the year of 2026. “ Most violent crime categories including, murder, rape and robbery, as well as most property-related crimes such as theft and burglary, continued to decrease, but remain at unacceptably high levels” said Cachalia.
In the past murder had been regarded as the most reliable crime statistic and finally the country saw a decline in murders from the beginning of the first quarter of the 2023-2024 financial year.
Cachalia highlighted that the decrease in murders could be attributed to the enhanced police operations but still maintained that despite the decrease, that violent crime still remains a pertinent issue that SAPS will fight to keep decreasing.
“These are statistical patterns. While most communities have recorded decreases in violent and property crimes, there are still too many communities that have recorded increases” highlighted Cachalia.
Cachalia also highlighted that the improvements in law enforcement must go in tandem with Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy, as they require closer alignment in regards to health, education and social development.
Cachalia also warned against vigilantism. “Where communities take the law in their own hands, resulting in murders and assaults, this creates further work for an already over stretched police service” said Cachalia.