POLOKWANE – Limpopo is showing a steady decline in violent and property crimes, according to the First Quarter Crime Statistics (April – June 2026/2027) released today, Tuesday, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium Suite.

The briefing marks the first time Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers is presenting official crime figures since the announcement of his appointment on July 31. He is joined on stage by MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye.

Murder down 13%

At the centre of the presentation is the announcement that murder decreased in Limpopo during the first quarter. According to the report being tabled at the stadium, the province recorded a 13% reduction in murder cases.

During the same period, police arrested:

• 111 murder suspects
• 87 attempted murder suspects
• 1 734 suspects for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• 1 236 suspects for common assault

GBVF and rape cases decline

On Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, Scheepers reported a 2.1% decrease in rape cases in the province.

The figures show that police arrested 230 rape suspects in the first quarter while strengthening victim-centred investigations and support services.

Property crime on the decline

The presentation also points to property crime on the decline. The province recorded significant decreases in some of the most feared crimes:

• Residential robberies down 33.6%
• Non-residential robberies down 7.5%
• Trio crimes down 23.2%

These declines, the report notes, are linked to operational successes that included arrests for house robberies, business robberies, burglaries, vehicle-related crimes and stock theft.

Court successes

Among major highlights are court successes, where investigations by Limpopo police contributed to 21 life sentences and 714 years of imprisonment.

According to Scheepers, these convictions demonstrate the impact of strong investigations and cooperation between police, prosecutors and communities.

Rural safety remains a priority

On the issue of rural safety, which remains a priority for the province, Saps Limpopo says it continues to strengthen its approach through increased police visibility, intelligence-led operations, stock theft prevention initiatives and partnerships with farming communities and traditional leaders.

Drugs and illegal firearms seized

The police further reported on efforts to remove drugs and illegal firearms from communities. During the first quarter, police arrested:

• 2 076 suspects for drug-related crimes
• 105 suspects for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition

Call to the public

Residents have been urged to report crime, share information with police and support victims, while being warned not to take the law into their own hands.