Limpopo records major drop in murder cases
Limpopo reports a 20% drop in murders and major crime reductions, while police intensify efforts to combat rising sexual offences.
LIMPOPO – The province has recorded a 20% reduction in murder cases during the second quarter of the 2025/26 year, provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe announced on Friday.
The announcement was made during a joint briefing with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, in Polokwane.
The statistics, covering the period from April 1-September 30, show Limpopo’s murder rate at 3.2 per 100 000, which is among the lowest in the country. The improvement is attributed to intensified operations such as Operation Shanela (Kukula) and strengthened community-police partnerships.
Other notable crime reductions include:
- Robbery with aggravating circumstances: 14.5%
- Trio crimes: 21.9%
- Carjackings: 34 fewer cases
- Robbery at non-residential premises: 21.9%
- Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm: 7.1%
- 2 159 unlicensed shebeens closed
Hadebe, however, expressed concern over a 7.1% increase in sexual offences in the same period, calling the trend “deeply worrying”.
“As the police, we will intensify high-visibility patrols, target hotspot operations, including weekends and evenings, and joint operations with POP, Vispol, municipal partners, and other role-players. We will enforce liquor compliance and clamp down on drug dens, which are major drivers of GBV-related incidents. Together, we will turn concern into action and action into safety,” she remarked.
Significant progress has also been made in prosecuting gender-based violence and femicide cases, with 20 offenders convicted, including seven accused receiving 14 life sentences, while other sentences ranged from two to 25 years.
The MEC praised the police for the notable crime reductions while stressing the urgency of tackling sexual violence.
“We shall not rest until we achieve zero murders, zero GBV incidents, zero carjackings, zero assaults and the eradication of all forms of crime. Our communities deserve peace, and we are resolute in delivering it,” she said.
She also reaffirmed the department’s support for the police ahead of the festive season, urging continued vigilance to ensure safer communities across Limpopo.
