The Western Cape recorded declines in several serious and violent crime categories during the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year.
The figures were released by Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi, marking his first crime statistics briefing since taking over the provincial SAPS.
Contact crime decreased by 6.3%, while murder fell by 6.7%. Carjacking declined by 14.6%, and house robbery dropped by 15%.
Operation Prosper, which targets high-crime police stations across the province, also delivered positive results. Contact crime at these stations fell by 12.1%, while murder decreased by 16.8%.
Lieutenant-General Dyantyi welcomed the reductions, saying crime statistics are an important tool for measuring police performance, identifying trends and adapting policing strategies.
He credited SAPS members for their hard work and dedication, while also acknowledging his predecessor, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, who led the provincial police during the period under review.
However, Dyantyi warned that significant challenges remain.
Rape increased by 3.8%, while sexual assault rose by 5.7%. He said gender-based violence remains a priority, with SAPS continuing to strengthen its response to crimes against women and children.
The fight against illegal firearms will also remain a key focus, with police targeting the possession and use of illegal firearms and working to remove them from circulation.
Dyantyi said the ultimate goal is to reduce crime, improve policing and create safer communities across the Western Cape.
SAPS Western Cape will continue working with communities and law-enforcement partners in the fight against crime.
The figures were released by Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi, marking his first crime statistics briefing since taking over the provincial SAPS.
Contact crime decreased by 6.3%, while murder fell by 6.7%. Carjacking declined by 14.6%, and house robbery dropped by 15%.
Operation Prosper, which targets high-crime police stations across the province, also delivered positive results. Contact crime at these stations fell by 12.1%, while murder decreased by 16.8%.
Lieutenant-General Dyantyi welcomed the reductions, saying crime statistics are an important tool for measuring police performance, identifying trends and adapting policing strategies.
He credited SAPS members for their hard work and dedication, while also acknowledging his predecessor, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, who led the provincial police during the period under review.
However, Dyantyi warned that significant challenges remain.
Rape increased by 3.8%, while sexual assault rose by 5.7%. He said gender-based violence remains a priority, with SAPS continuing to strengthen its response to crimes against women and children.
The fight against illegal firearms will also remain a key focus, with police targeting the possession and use of illegal firearms and working to remove them from circulation.
Dyantyi said the ultimate goal is to reduce crime, improve policing and create safer communities across the Western Cape.
SAPS Western Cape will continue working with communities and law-enforcement partners in the fight against crime.