KZN sees significant drop in murder rates: Q3 2025 crime statistics reveal positive trends

KwaZulu-Natal has recorded a 13.1% decrease in murder cases, according to the third-quarter crime statistics for 2025 released by Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, in Pretoria on Friday.

The province is among five including Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, and the North West, that saw significant reductions in murder between 1 October and 31 December 2025. Nationally, murder dropped by 8.7%, representing 602 fewer lives lost compared to the same period last year.

Minister Cachalia expressed "cautious optimism" regarding the national data, noting that most categories of violent crime, as well as property-related crimes such as theft and burglary, have continued to decrease. While KZN and four other provinces saw substantial drops, the Minister noted that the situation varies across the country;

• Western and Eastern Cape: Recorded much smaller decreases, with gang violence remaining "worrisomely high."
• Limpopo and Northern Cape: Recorded slight increases in murder.
• High-Crime Precincts: Out of the 30 highest murder precincts nationally, decreases were recorded in only 15.

"This does not necessarily translate into a felt sense of security by individuals, families, and communities," Cachalia cautioned, acknowledging that crime levels remain unacceptably high despite the statistical improvements.

The Minister raised an alarm over a "notable increase" in the murder of police officials this quarter. Of the 23 officers killed, nearly 80% were off-duty. SAPS management has been tasked with investigating measures to prevent these deaths. Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV+F), which is classified as a national disaster, the Minister confirmed that 999 additional members have been assigned to Detective Services over the past year to strengthen the policing approach.

To bolster public safety, the government is moving to establish a national community-patroller programme.

The Civilian Secretariat for Police is currently developing a concept and funding model for the initiative. Under this plan, community members will receive training and stipends to maintain a presence at transport nodes, walkways, and schools.

"They will not be undertaking policing functions," Cachalia clarified, "but be deployed to ensure that there are people who can call the police and through their presence prevent crime from happening."

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), Cachalia identified organised crime to be the most immediate threat to South Africa. He confirmed that a dedicated task team is investigating senior SAPS and Ekurhuleni local government officials identified by the Madlanga Commission for alleged criminal activities. The Ministry’s strategy involves:

• Integrity Management: Implementing lifestyle audits and vetting for top-tier SAPS ranks.
• Specialised Units: Bolstering Anti-Gang Units and deploying the SANDF in a time-bound, supportive role under SAPS command to stabilise high-risk zones.

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