South Africa’s murder rate drops by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2025

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says murder fell by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2025, with overall violent crime down 6.7%. Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia revealed that the murder rate in South Africa has decreased by 8.7% in the third quarter of 2025, while overall violent crime has also seen a decline of 6.7%. During a media briefing on Friday, he discussed the third-quarter crime statistics, which cover the period from October 1 to December 31, 2025.

The latest figures follow the release on November 28 last year of the first- and second-quarter statistics for the 2025-26 financial year, which spanned from April 1 to September 30. Cachalia highlighted that the government’s decision to release crime statistics quarterly reflects its dedication to transparency and accountability. “Our people are entitled to know how many crimes are reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on a regular basis, and whether different categories are showing an increase or decrease in the precincts where communities live,” he said. He said knowledge empowers communities and enables more effective collective action to improve public safety.