KZN has again emerged as one of South Africa’s most violent regions, with the latest SAPS crime statistics showing sharp increases in murder, rape and trio crimes between April and September 2025.

The Witness reports that police released the first and second quarter crime figures earlier today. While national murders have begun to decline, South Africa still recorded 63 killings a day during the six-month period.

Between April and June, police recorded 5 430 murders, followed by 5 270 murders between July and September.

KZN remained one of the provinces with the highest murder ratios per 100 000 people, trailing only the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

Rape cases rise sharply

Rape cases also rose sharply, from 6 559 in the first quarter to 7 204 in the second, with KZN again one of the biggest contributors. Several incidents occurred in and around schools, according to SAPS data.

Hijackings and robberies surge

Trio crimes remain a major pressure point in the province. Nationally, SAPS recorded:

• 4 671 carjackings (April–June)
• 4 784 carjackings (July–September)

Extortion now tracked separately

For the first time, extortion has been captured as a standalone category.

At least 250 cases of financial extortion were recorded between July and September, including assassinations, threats and ransom demands.

Protection rackets accounted for 125 cases, mainly targeting taxis, spaza shops and construction.

Police minister warns of persistent violence

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said that while there were ‘significant declines in most categories’, violent crime remained high.

“I know what it feels like to be mugged in the streets or raided in one’s home,” he said, adding that murder and gender-based violence ‘remain stubbornly high’.

Watch as Cachalia releases the latest statistics:

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