WeeklySA_AdminDecline: Statistics revealed a decline in the number of serious crimes but murder was still a national crisis
By Monk Nkomo
While high-flying and well-dressed criminals amassed wealth and were revered by those who benefitted from their illegal activities, too many of South Africa’s communities would continue to suffer from drugs, shootouts, infrastructure damage and corrupt government officials.
This was said by Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia when he released the police crime statistics for the 4th quarter of the 2025-2026 covering the period between January and March this year.
He added that while the latest crime statistics revealed that there was a significant decrease in the number of serious crimes, murder – which decreased nationally by 9,5 percent – was still a national crisis with Kwazakhele in the Eastern Cape having emerged as the top murder hotspot in the country, followed by Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal. These two areas were reported at ten of the country’s worst police stations for murder having recorded 59 and 54 murders during the 4th quarter respectively.
The latest statistics also revealed that there was an average 58 murders in South Africa per day from January to March this year, bringing the national total to about 5180 countrywide.
‘’ While the national data indicates a downward trend in major violent crime categories, such as murder and sexual offences, certain regions continue to significant hotspots for criminal activity.’’
Criminal networks continued to infiltrate economic and government systems , while those who exposed wrongdoing were often left vulnerable, said Cachaia.
The 4th quarter crime statistics also revealed an overall decrease of 4,4 percent in the 17 community-reported serious crimes compared to the same period the previous financial year. Among these community-reported serious crimes, Gauteng continued to experience the highest level of criminal activity closely followed by the Western Cape and KwaZulu- Natal.
Cachalia added that Gauteng also accounted for 57,1 percent of the country’s hijackings , 54,8 percent of all kidnappings and 48,4 percent of all cash-in-transit robberies.
Gang-related murders were primarily concentrated in the Western Cape which reported 225 out of a total of 240 national cases. Protection rackets, including the so-called ‘’construction mafia’’ were spreading especially in the Western Cape which accounted for 57 of 131 sampled protection racket cases.
The acting Police Minister also announced that
• Rape cases declined by 8,5 percent with 9782 cases reported.
• Commercial crimes including white-collar offences increased by 4,0 percent reaching 36,797 incidents.
• Drug-related crime detections had also risen by 10,8 percent totalling 58,265 cases
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs increased by 29, 3 percent which was an increase from 15, 611 cases last year to 20178 this financial year.
Cachalia raised concern about the protection of whistleblowers and said this was essential in strengthening accountability and ensuring that corruption and organized crime could be exposed without fear of retaliation .
‘’ Too many people who stand up to crime and corruption , including councillors, professionals like auditors and lawyers, are targeted for doing the right thing.
Strengthening whistleblowers protections must become a national priority if South Africa is to make meaningful progress in tackling corruption and organised crime.’’
MIRROR Briefs
SA STRENGTHENS TIES WITH BOTSWANA
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to deepening diplomatic and economic ties with Botswana during his State visit and the 6th Session of the Botswana–South Africa Bi-National Commission in Gaborone.
Ramaphosa delivered the remarks at a State Banquet hosted by Botswana President Duma Boko on the first day of the two-day visit to the country. Addressing dignitaries, ministers and guests, Ramaphosa said the visit represented far more than a formal diplomatic engagement.
“This is no ordinary State visit. It is a coming together of brethren from the same family. We are one people, born of the same soil and bound together by a shared history,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa used the occasion to express condolences following the passing of former Botswana President Festus Mogae, whom he described as “a gentle giant, an illustrious African and a global statesman.”
He praised Botswana’s leadership over the years and commended Boko for steering the country towards modernisation, development and prosperity.
“We commend the vigour and vision with which you are leading Botswana on a path of modernisation and towards a future of sustained development and prosperity, “he said.
Ramaphosa assured Botswana that South Africa would remain a reliable neighbour and partner as the two countries continue to deepen bilateral relations. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
CORRUPT COMPANIES NAILED
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has completed several settlement agreements with service providers and individuals linked to the R431 million in decontamination, disinfection, and sanitisation of school contracts awarded by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The contracts were reviewed and set aside by the Special Tribunal in 2022.
“The SIU has since concluded settlement agreements with some service providers and individuals linked to the Chachulani Group Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd respondents, who have agreed to pay the SIU R25 million in full, out of the R40 million paid by GDE.
“This settlement is a critical outcome of the SIU’s relentless efforts to recover public funds lost during the COVID-19 National State of Disaster. The SIU remains committed to protecting public funds, restoring integrity in procurement and ensuring that those who unlawfully benefit from state contracts are brought to justice.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa directed the SIU, under Proclamation R23 of 2020, to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, and malpractice, as well as payments made by State institutions, in relation to PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] procurement and the conduct of State employees,” the SIU said.
The service providers and individuals who agreed to the settlements were at least 16 and have “consented to the preserved amounts being debited from their respective bank accounts”. – SAnews
HORROR CRASH PROBED
Investigations have been launched into the horror accident which claimed ten lives in a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a bus on the R39 between Standerton and Morgenzon in Mpumalanga.
All 10 deceased were occupants of the minibus taxi, including the driver.
Eight people died at the scene, one died while being transported to the hospital and another passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Standerton. Mpumalanga Community Safety spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said investigations into the crash were ongoing.
“Eight of the deceased died while at the scene, while the ninth person succumbed to the injuries and died whilst being transported to a nearby hospital. One person sustained serious injuries, while two more occupants escaped with slight injuries.
“It is not clear what led to the collision. However, reckless and negligent driving cannot be ruled out at this stage. The investigation into the crash is already underway.”
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has sent condolences to the bereaved families and wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation. Authorities were continuing inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the collision on the R39. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
A NEW LOTTERY OPERATOR FOR SA.
Sizekhaya Holdings is officially taking over as South Africa’s new national lottery operator on June 1, 2026, replacing Ithuba Holdings after their 11-year run. They were initially granted an eight-year license, which concluded in 2023, after which it was extended on a year-to-year basis.
Its tenure also saw significant jackpots, including a record-breaking PowerBall wins of R232 million, R178.9 million, and R158 million.
Sizekhaya Holdings and the National Lottery Commission (NLC) jointly hosted a media and stakeholder event in Johannesburg ahead of Sizekhaya formally assuming operation.
The event brought together the media, business leaders, retail partners, stakeholders and representatives from across the lottery ecosystem for the first comprehensive public introduction to the leadership, vision and operational priorities of Sizekhaya.
Addressing delegates, Sizekhaya Holdings Chairperson Moses Tembe said the organisation viewed the transition (from the previous operator to Sizekhaya) not simply as an operational handover, but also as an opportunity to renew and strengthen one of South Africa’s most recognisable national institutions.
“As Sizekhaya, we understand clearly that we are not only operating a business. We are acting as custodians of a national institution,” he said.- Lehlohonolo Lehana.
