South Africa is losing 64 people every day to murder, according to the latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Service in Pretoria on Friday. The figures, covering the three-month period from July to September 2025, reveal that violent crime continues to claim hundreds of lives each week, despite some declines in other categories of crime.
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia presented the second-quarter crime statistics in Pretoria. He said that while some types of contact crime have decreased, murder remains a significant concern. “Overall, during the past two quarters, we have seen a significant decline in most crime categories. Importantly, we are seeing ongoing and significant reductions in serious violent crime. Murder has started to decrease significantly,” he said.
Despite the reported decline in certain areas, South Africans continue to face an exceptionally high risk of violent crime. The statistics show that over 5800 people were killed between July and September 2025, averaging 64 murders per day. The Western Cape, a province governed by the Democratic Alliance, remains the deadliest area in the country. Three police stations in the province, Mfuleni, Kraaifontein and Delft are among the 30 stations with the highest murder rates nationally.
Cape Town continues to top the list as South Africa’s murder capital. Gang violence, drug-related killings and extortion are the primary drivers of crime in several high-density communities in the city. The police say that illegal firearms and gang-related activity remain major contributors to the province’s high murder rate.
Cachalia expressed concern about the human cost of violent crime. “There are categories that remain stubbornly high. Sexual offences remain of critical concern,” he said. Between July and September 2025, 10154 rapes were reported, averaging 112 per day, or approximately five every hour. More than 12700 sexual offences were reported during the same period.
The Acting Minister also highlighted the growing threat from organised criminal networks operating across the country. “Criminal networks infiltrate political parties, government departments and procurement systems to steal public funds. These criminals wear fancy suits and designer clothes, pretending they are legitimate business people,” he said.
South Africans have also witnessed the ongoing vulnerability of police officers. During the reporting period, 41 members of the South African Police Service were killed, with 35 of them off duty. “This demonstrates the vulnerability of our members even when they are not in uniform,” Cachalia said.
While murder remains the focus of concern, other forms of violent crime show mixed trends. Contact crimes, including robbery and assault, have decreased by 3.1 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Attempted murder and sexual offences, however, increased. Between July and September 2024, the police recorded over 160000 contact crimes compared to 155000 in the same period this year.
Cachalia also outlined priority areas for intervention, including gender-based violence, firearms, alcohol-related crime and rural safety. He said access to firearms continues to enable violent crime. “Access to firearms is a key enabler of violence. We must identify the sources and close the tap,” he said. He also highlighted the link between alcohol and violent crime, adding that government will explore better regulation of liquor outlets.
Social media users responded to the new statistics with concern. One X user wrote that living in Cape Town is dangerous and that residents are constantly fearing for their lives. Another questioned firearm regulations, saying they felt unprotected and at risk of becoming one of the 64 daily murder victims.
The Acting Minister also addressed operational successes by the police. Between April and September 2025, 413583 suspects were arrested nationwide through targeted operations. In the same period, 3442 firearms were seized, and more than 11975 unlicensed liquor outlets were shut down. Nearly 19000 people were arrested for selling alcohol without valid licenses.
Key arrests included 7479 suspects for murder and attempted murder, 5317 for rape and attempted rape, and 8552 for drug dealing. Police also recovered 1686 stolen or hijacked vehicles and seized millions of rand worth of drugs.
In the Western Cape, 722 alleged gang members were arrested, along with 1565 illegal firearms and more than 39000 rounds of ammunition seized. In Mpumalanga, a crystal meth laboratory valued at R350 million was dismantled, and five foreign nationals were arrested. Gauteng police neutralised several kidnappers and cash-in-transit robbers while rescuing multiple victims. In KwaZulu-Natal, five men convicted for the Glebelands hostel massacre were each sentenced to eight life terms plus 15 years.
Over the six-month period, 7415 accused persons were convicted and sentenced to prison, according to the statistics. Cachalia said that the data demonstrates the police’s commitment to tackling crime. “Throughout the country, criminals are feeling the full might of the law, and there is no turning back,” he said.
Despite the operational successes, the statistics make clear that murder remains a major challenge in South Africa. With 64 people killed every day and sexual offences increasing, communities are still grappling with the impact of violent crime.
The Acting Minister also emphasised the role of broader investigations into corruption and criminal influence in state institutions. “We have seen the damage that state capture did to our country and its institutions, and we now know that capture continues in different forms,” he said.
Cachalia highlighted that the government is investing resources to improve victim support, including R40 million allocated to empowerment initiatives for survivors of gender-based violence. He said that policy efforts have not yet delivered the results needed and that policing alone cannot solve societal problems deeply rooted in communities.
The latest statistics illustrate that the fight against violent crime remains far from over. While murder rates may be showing slight declines in certain regions, the Western Cape continues to lead in killings, and the daily toll remains alarmingly high.
South Africans face a continuing risk to personal safety, particularly in areas affected by gang activity and organised crime. The new figures underscore the need for continued police action, community engagement and focused interventions to reduce murders and protect lives across the country.
Acting Minister Cachalia concluded his briefing by reaffirming the police’s determination. “The road ahead is long, but the SAPS will continue to tackle crime relentlessly. We will not stop until all South Africans can live safely in their communities,” he said.
