Crime stats have improved, but bloodshed persists, says Cachalia

Acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, says while the decreases in crime stats are encouraging, they do not erase the reality that too many South Africans continue to lose their lives to violent crime.

Cachalia released the first-quarter crime statistics today, which he says confirm that crime is highly concentrated.

Murder cases fell by 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year, while robbery with aggravating circumstances went down by 14.7%. Rape cases have gone down by 0.3%, with sexual assault  down by 2%.

However, attempted murder cases increased by 8.7%, while assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm rose by 2.5% and common assault increased by 2%.

Cachalia says the figures are not merely numbers on a page, adding that behind every statistic is a victim, a grieving family, a traumatised community and, in far too many cases, a life that can never be replaced.

“These are the crimes that create fear in our communities. Many are committed by organised, heavily armed criminal groups that operate with planning and sophistication. Others are interpersonal crimes, perpetrated by people known to their victims, reflecting deeper challenges within our social fabric and the breakdown of trust and relationships in communities.”

Cachalia also revealed that all hands are on deck as the country prepares for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) in November.

“There have been incidents in which councillors and other political representatives have been the victims of violent crime, undermining democratic participation and creating fear within communities.”

“Law enforcement agencies remain committed to thoroughly investigating these cases, bringing those responsible to justice, and working with all stakeholders to ensure that the electoral environment is safe, secure and conducive to free and fair democratic participation.”

#PoliceMinistry [RELEASE OF THE CRIME STATISTICS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2026/2027]

The Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia reaffirms the South African Police Service’s commitment to fighting crime in the country. “We remain mindful that while statistics help us… pic.twitter.com/mHjO0zaMG1

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 28, 2026

5,427 people were murdered between April and June. That is almost 60 people a day, or nearly 2.5 people every hour, roughly one person every 24 minutes. Another 6,596 rapes were recorded, more than 72 every day.

SAPS’s more detailed analysis uses a sample of 5,170 murders where… pic.twitter.com/ARSnVUTBzt

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) August 28, 2026

Get rid of foreign criminals in SA could cut crime stats by 60% at least… https://t.co/dNwCwLYt5x

— ⑥. 𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚕𝚎𝙼 (@2timeShotgun) August 28, 2026