While several criminal activities declined in the province during the third quarter – October to December 2025 – sexual offences increased.

This is according to the acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, who presented the third-quarter crime statistics during a media briefing today, March 10.

Mkhwanazi announced that rape increased by 2.3% from 784 in the third quarter of 2024 to 802 during the same period in 2025. Sexual assault increased by 12.2% from 115 cases during the period in 2024 to 129 in the 2025 quarter.

Murder cases decreased by 18.6% from 350 to 285, while attempted murder, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, common assault, common robbery, robbery with aggravating circumstances and contact crimes decreased by between 0.3% and 22.0%.

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Mkhwanazi said carjackings, along with residential and non-residential robbery, decreased by between 19.2% and 26.4%.

Among those in attendance was the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie. He spoke of the high murder rate in the Calcutta policing precinct, where 2025 saw an increase of 18 gun-related murders.

“We need to vigorously deal with the ongoing murders in that area,” said Macie.

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Mkhwanazi confirmed that 46 members with specialised training were deployed to the area, which is said to have seen more than 50 gun-related murders in the past three years.