Middelburg saw an overall decline in crime between October 2025 and January 1.

Middelburg scored only two mentions on the top 30 SAPS lists for various crimes.

Despite being 15th on the list for non-residential burglaries, Middelburg obtained the number one spot in relation to non-residential burglaries in Mpumalanga.

Middelburg also scooped the number one spot in Mpumalanga with non-residential robberies, with Witbank a close 12th.

According to SAPS statistics, 19 non-residential robberies were reported in Middelburg between October and January.

Shockingly, Witbank attained the number one spot nationally for overall crime increases between October and the end of December.

Witbank also came in 10th overall with truck hijacking, with five incidents reported.

Vosman outside Witbank was ranked 15th nationally in relation to arson and arson-related crimes.

Witbank was placed 16th on the national property-related crime list with 326 incidents.

Our neighbours also placed 14th for theft out of vehicles, 23rd for commercial crimes, 25th for vehicle and motorcycle thefts, and 26th for non-specified serious crimes.

Vosman placed 21st in illegal weapons and ammunition arrests, with 25 incidents.

Mpumalanga is the only province where drug-related crimes showed an increase, with all the other provinces having shown a decline.

Mpumalanga was also singled out for sexual assault and rape, with a 3% rise in sexual offences, a 2.3% increase in rape, a 12.2% increase in sexual assault and 15 incidents of contact sexual assault.

Middelburg was toppled by Nelspruit with the highest provincial arrests for drunk driving, with Nelspruit landing the number three spot with 234 arrests, which is 174 higher than the previous year.

Nelspruit is the only Mpumalanga city on the DUI-list.

Middelburg made the top 30 list numerous times in the past.

Sadly, Mpumalanga is leading the pack with rhino poaching, with 37 incidents out of 78 during the period under review.

The province also placed first with flora-related crimes, with a total of 40 cases.

• Witbank and Nelspruit are indicated as such on the national lists, and not eMalahleni or Mbombela.