KwaZulu-Natal statistics reveal reductions in crime categories

KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Police Commissioner, Major General Phumelele Makoba, recently presented the province’s crime statistics, which highlighted significant reductions across several crime categories. 

In a briefing to KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, Makoba presented a comparative analysis of reported crimes across various districts and police stations, contrasting the latest figures (October 15, 2025 - December 30, 2025) with those from the previous reporting period (October 15, 2024 - December 30, 2024). 

“From contact crimes, we have seen a reduction of 2,676 crimes. That reduction includes the reduction of assault, which is good, but we have seen a decrease of 269 murders and sexual offences, 66. We would have loved to see more decreases on this, but it is a decrease nevertheless,” Makoba said. 

She said robbery with aggravating circumstances was down 740, compared to last year. 

Makoba highlighted that breaking down the category of sexual offences reveals a rise in attempted sexual offences, while actual incidents of rape (65 fewer cases) and sexual assault have decreased (6 fewer cases).

She said decreases were also recorded in robberies under trio crimes (305 fewer cases). 

Makoba said other categories, including contact-related crimes (391 fewer cases), also decreased, along with property-related crimes (1,277 fewer cases). 

For other serious crimes (1,166 fewer cases), Makoba said: “We would have loved to receive a clean sweep there as well. But unfortunately, commercial crime (186 cases reported) keeps increasing month by month because communities are, in the main, gullible to what happens on the adverts that are put on the internet.”

She said that crimes detected as a result of police action (2,836) increased. For instance, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition increased by 122. While sexual offences detected as a result of police action (prostitution) decreased. 

“There was less activity, hence less arrest of ladies of the night, during this time,” Makoba said. 

She said that despite a few crimes increasing, most categories decreased. 

Ntuli highlighted that despite a decrease in statistics, there remains significant work ahead. He emphasised that the current figures are not yet at the desired level.

“We want to see a much more significant decrease in terms of the stats. It means there is much more work that we need to do,” Ntuli said. 

“If there is something new that you may need to also introduce, that might sway the numbers, we are there to give that kind of support.” 

Ntuli also expressed concern about drugs and alcohol, which contribute to crime. 

“We are also worried when it comes to sexual assaults; the stats are not good,” Ntuli said. 

“Even the murder cases are not as bad as they used to be, but we are worried about some of the reports.” 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za