The latest national crime statistics, covering the fourth quarter from January to March 2025, were released on Friday 23 May. They were shared by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
While the Goodwood data revealed several encouraging downward trends, some crime categories have seen increases.
One of the more positive developments is the drop in sexual offences. These saw a significant 50% decline, falling from 10 to 5 cases.
Among these, rape incidents dropped dramatically from 9 to 3—a promising sign in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence.
Decreases
Similarly, cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm decreased by six. They reduced from 23 to 17. Meanwhile, robbery at non-residential premises dropped to zero, from five in the previous quarter.
Contact-related crimes, which include arson and malicious damage to property, also fell by 32,6%—from 43 to 29 cases.
Specifically, malicious damage to property decreased by 13 cases, from 42 to 29.
Property-related crimes recorded a 7,5% decline.
Notable reductions include:
- Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles down by 14 cases (36 to 22)
- Theft out of/from motor vehicles down 12,2% (123 to 108), and
- Burglary at non-residential premises dropping slightly from 11 to 8.
- Shoplifting saw the most dramatic drop in the “Other Serious Crimes” category, plummeting by 27 cases – from 66 to 39.
- Driving under the influence also dropped substantially, from 54 to 33 cases—a decline of 21 incidents.
Crime increases
However, not all figures point to progress.
Contact crimes – which include serious offences against individuals – rose slightly by 3,4%, from 234 to 242 cases. This rise is largely attributed to a 29% increase in common assault, which went up from 62 to 80 cases. There was also a 9,5% rise in robbery with aggravating circumstances, from 63 to 69 cases.
Attempted sexual offences increased from zero to two cases. Additionally, commercial crime went up by 7,1%, from 112 to 120 incidents.
One of the most concerning jumps was in burglary at residential premises. This rose sharply by 17 cases—from 31 to 48. Carjackings also saw a slight increase, from 4 to 6.
Goodwood police
In Goodwood crimes detected as a result of police action dropped by 14,7%, from 102 to 87 cases. However, Col. Shaun Van Wyk, the station commander at Goodwood police, states that there is no need for the community to worry.
“The priority crimes show a decrease, and that is a good reason for Goodwood police. With the safety structure, it shows that crime is under control. We also want to make use of the opportunity to show our gratitude to all role-players that are involved in combating crime,” concluded Van Wyk.
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