Alexandra has emerged as one of the country’s most troubled policing precincts, landing in the national top three for carjacking and recording its highest kidnapping figures in four years.

This was revealed in the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, covering the period from April to June 2026.

Read more: Police continue fight against Alexandra hijackings

Carjacking figures rise in Alexandra

The station recorded 35 more carjacking incidents than during the same period last year, marking the highest quarterly count since 2023.

Alexandra now ranks as the second-worst station in Gauteng for carjacking, behind only Ivory Park in the Ekurhuleni district, and features in the national top three.

Alexandra also appears on the national top 30 list for trio crimes. Robbery with aggravating circumstances rose by 62 counts year-on-year, common assault increased by eight counts to 203, while assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm dropped by seven counts to 134.

Sexual assault held steady at 11 counts, unchanged from Q1 2025, while rape cases rose by five to 41. Attempted murder cases nearly doubled, climbing from 26 to 46, a jump of 20 counts.

Kidnapping reaches four-year high

Perhaps most alarming is the spike in kidnappings, up 22 counts to 39 for the quarter. This is Alexandra’s highest total for a first quarter since 2022.

This places the station 12th nationally and 10th provincially for kidnapping. While specific drivers for Alexandra’s cases were not detailed, provincial data shows most Gauteng kidnappings are linked to ransom demands, extortion, and human trafficking.

Also read: Police say building watertight case takes time

The station also recorded a 39-count increase in trio crimes, the highest percentage increase, at 83%, of any station in the country for Q1. The station now ranks 10th nationally and 5th in Gauteng.

In Q1 of the previous year, Alexandra ranked 29th nationally with 47 counts, only about 10 counts higher than the year before. Across Q1 2023, 2024, and 2025, the station consistently posted the lowest trio crime counts in the top 30, at times nearly falling out of it altogether.

Meanwhile, contact-related crimes showed a slight improvement, dipping from 104 to 102 counts. Malicious property damage remained flat at 102 counts.

Also read: Gauteng police intensify crackdown on crime in Alexandra

Car theft, while still a concern, ranks far lower on the top 30 list, 26th nationally and 21st in Gauteng, with counts falling by 42 year-on-year.

Firearm-related offences, including illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, stayed below 18 counts, keeping Alexandra off the national top 30 in that category.

Acting Police Minister Feroz Cachalia acknowledges both gains and gaps

Acting Police Minister Feroz Cachalia acknowledged both the gains and the gaps revealed by the latest figures.

“The first quarter crime statistics demonstrate that we are making progress in several critical areas. They also remind us that significant challenges remain. There can be no complacency,” he said.

“We are not yet where we want to be, but we remain determined, united and focused on getting there.”

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