South Africa recorded a drop in its national murder rate during the first quarter of 2025, with the latest crime statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) indicating a 12.4% decline in murders compared to the same period in previous years.
A total of 5 727 murders were reported between January and March 2025, a drop from over 6 000 cases recorded in the same quarter across 2022, 2023 and 2024.
However, that still equates to 63.6 murders per day over the 90-day period.
Or 2.65 per hour.
And those are only the reported murders.
The murder rate per 100 000 people has improved, declining from 10.6 in 2024 to 9.1 in 2025.
However, this still exceeds the 2021 figure of 8.3.
Provincial highlights:
- The Eastern Cape remains the most dangerous province, with a murder rate of 15.4 per 100 000, despite a drop from 17.4 in 2024
- The Western Cape follows with a rate of 14.2, also reflecting a modest decrease
- KwaZulu-Natal showed a significant improvement, falling from 12.4 to 10.0
- Gauteng dropped from 9.7 to 8.5, placing it fourth on the list
The Northern Cape was the only province to report an increase in its murder rate, rising from 6.8 to 8.3 per 100 000, with a 23.1% spike in murder cases to 112 in total.
Although the province contributes only 2% to national murder statistics, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu acknowledged the increase as a serious concern, pledging targeted interventions.
Other crime trends
SAPS noted that overall contact crimes – including murder, assault, and robbery – declined by 5.8% to 161 672 cases in the same period.
There were also substantial declines in:
- Carjackings, down 15.1% to 4 533 cases
- Truck hijackings, down 99 incidents to 359
- Robbery at non-residential premises, down 23.4%
- Robbery at residential premises, down 0.4%
However, two categories saw increases:
- Reported rape cases, up slightly by 0.3% to 10 688
- Contact sexual offences, up by 21% to 236 cases
However, authorities cautioned that sexual offences remain vastly underreported and highlighted ongoing concerns about violence against women.
Following a bilateral meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump this week, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu dismissed international claims of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa.
However, the crime stats above don’t paint a pretty picture.
They also don’t differentiate between how many white, black, coloured or Indian deaths were reported in the first three months of the year.
Should South Africa be ‘celebrating’ a drop to nearly 64 murders per day?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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