Phiwokuhle Mothemela
The police’s acting provincial commissioner, Major General Zithulele Dladla, said the crime statistics for the Eastern Cape paint a picture of police officers at work, after noting a decrease in some key crime categories.
Dladla released the crime statistics for the second and third quarters of the 2024/2025 financial year on Wednesday at St Albans Correctional Centre in Gqeberha.
He was flanked by the MEC for Community Safety and Transport, Xolile Nqatha, and District Commissioner, Major-General Vuyisile Ncatha.
According to the crime statistics for the second quarter, out of the "17 community-reported serious crimes", there was an overall decrease of 1 866 cases (4. 5%).
"A total of 41 246 cases were reported during the 2nd quarter, in comparison to the 39 380 cases during the 3rd quarter," Dladla said in a statement.
According to a summary of crime statistics for the 3rd quarter of the financial year, out of the "17 community-reported serious crimes", there was an overall decrease of 1 996 cases (4. 5%).
"A total of 44 103 cases were reported during 2023/24, in comparison to 42107 cases during 2024/2025," he said.
In the third quarter, from October to December 2024, the number of murders, and sexual offences decreased by 11 and 7 percent respectively.
Despite the overall decrease in some key crime categories, Nelson Mandela Bay remained the district with the most murders and kidnappings in the province.
KwaZakhele, New Brighton, Kwanobuhle and Motherwell police stations recorded the most murders in the province, and were also among the top 30 police stations in the country.
"These statistics are not just numbers. They represent the lived experiences of our communities and the challenges we face in ensuring safety and security for all.
"The face of crime may change, but our resolve as police to combat crime will remain our top priority,” said Dladla.
He said his office was also looking at increasing police visibility in the crime hotspot areas.
MEC Nqatha also welcomed the decline in the number of murders and sexual assaults, saying while not "entirely satisfactory", it was a good sign of progress,
“The decline does not mean we must relax, more work must be done to fight crime in the province,” Nqata said, pledging further to tackle extortion that is prevalent in some districts in the province.
“As a government, we are focused on strengthening our crime-fighting strategies to effectively address criminal activities.
"Our efforts have already been demonstrated in the OR Tambo District, where we deployed the National Intelligence Unit and other police specialised units to tackle issues related to extortion and other serious crimes," Nqata said.
The DA in the Eastern Cape meanwhile said the latest provincial crime statistics have shown that the province remains the murder capital of South Africa.
MPL, Yusuf Cassim said violent crime is spiralling out of control, shattering lives, crippling investment, and killing jobs.
He said the statistics for the past six months revealed that 2 615 people were murdered between July and December last year, an average of more than 14 lives per day.
