Crime stats: SA records decrease in murders but increase in rapes

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has welcomed the decrease in the number of murders committed between January 2025 and March 2025. However, more people were raped during the same period, the crime stats revealed.

Mchunu provided the country’s crime statistics for this period and although police efforts have yielded some results, with a recorded decrease in contact crimes, rape is still an issue in the country.

During this period, 5 727 people were murdered, a decrease from 6 289 in the same period last year. About 477 murders were recorded in Western Cape’s top 10 police stations, including Delft, Mfuleni, Nyanga, Philippi East and Kraaifontein.

ALSO READ: Mchunu debunks white genocide, says the two farm owners killed were both black

Murder causes

Arguments, misunderstanding, road rage and provocation are still the top causative factors for murder (1 137), attempted murder (1985) and assault GBH (21 033).

Retaliation, revenge, and punishment came second for 436 murders, 302 attempted murders and 3 019 assault GBH.

ALSO READ: 110 women murdered in KwaZulu-Natal since October – Mchunu

About 323 people were killed during robberies, while 835 cases of attempted murder were a result of robbery. Robberies also contributed 646 cases of assault GBH.

Sexual offences recorded a slight increase to 13 452, from 13 446. Sexual offences include rape, of which 10 688 were recorded during this period, from 10 652. About 36 more people were raped during this period compared to the same period last year.

According to the crime stats, 14 victims of rape were also killed, while 14 cases of attempted murder of rape victims were recorded. About 175 cases of assault GBH were recorded on rape victims.

ALSO READ: SA’s gender-based violence brigades confront femicide

Police recorded 1 872 cases of sexual assault, 656 cases of attempted sexual offences and 236 contact sexual offences.

“While we acknowledge that GBV+F affects all genders, women remain disproportionately affected by rape, assault GBH, and murder. Our resolve to fight GBV+F is unwavering,” said Mchunu.

Mchunu: Police will adapt to new crime trends

Mchunu said the crime statistics are based on crimes that are reported.

“Let me be unequivocal: every crime that is reported in South Africa is recorded and accounted for by the South African Police Service (Saps) – whether it occurs in an urban area or in the most remote and rural areas,” said Mchunu.

The minister said police have noted that there is more crime in terms of daily life and a feeling of vulnerability. As a result, law enforcement agencies will adjust their methods of fighting crime and adapt to the new trends and threats.

ALSO READ: GBV, femicide receiving ‘priority attention’, says Gauteng police commissioner

The crime stats also confirmed that various categories of crime declined. While the authorities have not yet reached their ultimate goals, the latest figures confirm that “significant progress” is being made, according to Mchunu.

“We must, however, be clear-eyed about the challenges that remain. During this quarter, sexual offences, including rape and contact sexual offences, along with commercial crime, have shown increases.

“These are deeply concerning trends that demand renewed focus and urgent intervention,” he said.

“We are encouraged that all but one province recorded decreases in murder incidents. The Northern Cape, despite contributing only 2% to the national murder statistics, recorded an increase, which cannot be ignored and will be addressed with targeted actions.

“The four high-crime provinces – Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and the Eastern Cape – contributed the bulk of murder incidents nationally. Yet, when compared to the same period last year, the current statistics offer some encouragement. Among the top 30 police stations for murder, 13 stations registered lower counts, and two stations recorded no change. We will continue to intensify our efforts to reduce the overall murder rate.”

READ NEXT: Justice department’s poor record-keeping delays protection orders for GBV victims – AG