On 24 June 2025-MEC Xolile Nqatha of the Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety officially released the provincial crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year. The release took place at the Dicla Training and Projects Farm Hall in Queenstown.

This critical engagement aimed to highlight the collective efforts undertaken by various stakeholders under the leadership of MEC Nqatha to ensure safety and security across the province. In attendance were representatives from the South African Police Service, the Department of Community Safety, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, Department of Transport, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), and members of the Community Police Forum (CPF).

The Head of the Department of Community Safety, Mr. Phiko Mbambo, was also in attendance, accompanied by his management team. Delivering the purpose of the day, Mr Mbambo emphasized the importance of crime statistics, stating: “The release of crime statistics goes beyond information sharing. These figures help shape policies and strategies that can improve outcomes for victims by identifying crime patterns and trends in our province.”

The crimes that the South African Police Service are currently facing in the province include businesses robberies, burglaries, possession of illegal firearms, organised gangsterism, cash in transit high jackings, stock theft/ robberies, assault GBH, gender-based violence and femicide are still prominent. The murder rate was also stated as still high because of arguments in the Buffalo City Metro, OR Tambo and Sarah Baartman Municipalities. 

Councillor Noncedo September, the Deputy Mayor of Chris Hani District Municipality, commended the police for the sterling work they have done in the Eastern Cape Province.

“The SAPS is trying their level best to keep communities safe, and we are working exceptionally well with them here in Chris Hani District,” said Councillor Jongumzi Cengani the Speaker of Chris Hani District Municipality.

At the same time, the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso applauded the members of the CPF for their commendable efforts in fighting crime in their communities, despite receiving no financial remuneration.

A summary of the 4th quarter 2024/25 financial year crime statistics:

According to the statistics, the serious reported crimes in the Province of the Eastern Cape has decreased by 1,165 cases in comparison with the same period in 2024. The report states that a total of 39,640 crimes were reported during the fourth quarter of the 2023:2024 cycle in comparison with the 38,475 reported crimes during the fourth quarter of 2024/2025.

Contact crime:

-Crimes against persons reduced by 6.1% for the quarter.

-Murder reduced by 12.0%.

-Common robberies with aggravated circumstances reduced by 19.6%.

-Attempted murder reduced by 1.2%.

-Common assault reduced by 2.3%.

-In sexual offences, rape reduced by 2.4%.

-In aggravated robberies, car high jackings reduced by 32.4%

-Robberies at residential premises reduced by 7.7%.

-Robberies in non-residential areas reduced by 21.6%. 

There is a huge reduction in robberies of cash in transit, since the past year there have been no new bank robberies reported.

Property crime:

-Arson and malicious damage to property has reduced by 2.5%.

-Burglaries have increased by 8.5%. –

-Commercial crimes have reduced by 1.5% with shoplifting declining by 5.1%.

-Illegal possession of firearms has seen a decline of 2.7%.

-Ground related crimes have increased by 2.2%.

-Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has increased by 22.5%.

-Kidnapping has seen an increase of 14 counts from the 21st of June 2024 to 35 counts in the 4th quarter of 2025. 

Meanwhile, MEC Nqatha welcomed the statistics but acknowledged the ongoing challenges: “Today, we gather amid persistent criminal activities that continue to impact our communities especially women, children, and the elderly. Our province in not immune to such violation of the law,” he said. He further highlighted the severity of violent crime: “Crimes are often committed by armed criminals who do not hesitate to kill anyone who stands in their way. This reality has been tragically evident in recent incidents within our province.”

Despite these challenges, MEC Nqatha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to crime prevention and called on communities to play an active role: “We remain committed to working tirelessly to prevent such acts of criminality. However, we cannot do it alone. We urge all residents to partner with law enforcement. Crime is no longer a police matter-it is a societal issue that demands collective action,” he concluded.

EASTERN CAPE CRIME STATISTICS SHOW OVERALL DECLINE AMID PERSISTENT CHALLENGES

On 24 June 2025-MEC Xolile Nqatha of the Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety officially released the provincial crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year. The release took place at the Dicla Training and Projects Farm Hall in Queenstown.

This critical engagement aimed to highlight the collective efforts undertaken by various stakeholders under the leadership of MEC Nqatha to ensure safety and security across the province. In attendance were representatives from the South African Police Service, the Department of Community Safety, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, Department of Transport, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), and members of the Community Police Forum (CPF).

The Head of the Department of Community Safety, Mr. Phiko Mbambo, was also in attendance, accompanied by his management team. Delivering the purpose of the day, Mr Mbambo emphasized the importance of crime statistics, stating: “The release of crime statistics goes beyond information sharing. These figures help shape policies and strategies that can improve outcomes for victims by identifying crime patterns and trends in our province.”

The crimes that the South African Police Service are currently facing in the province include businesses robberies, burglaries, possession of illegal firearms, organised gangsterism, cash in transit high jackings, stock theft/ robberies, assault GBH, gender-based violence and femicide are still prominent. The murder rate was also stated as still high because of arguments in the Buffalo City Metro, OR Tambo and Sarah Baartman Municipalities. 

Councillor Noncedo September, the Deputy Mayor of Chris Hani District Municipality, commended the police for the sterling work they have done in the Eastern Cape Province.

“The SAPS is trying their level best to keep communities safe, and we are working exceptionally well with them here in Chris Hani District,” said Councillor Jongumzi Cengani the Speaker of Chris Hani District Municipality.

At the same time, the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Thandiswa Kupuso applauded the members of the CPF for their commendable efforts in fighting crime in their communities, despite receiving no financial remuneration.

A summary of the 4th quarter 2024/25 financial year crime statistics:

According to the statistics, the serious reported crimes in the Province of the Eastern Cape has decreased by 1,165 cases in comparison with the same period in 2024. The report states that a total of 39,640 crimes were reported during the fourth quarter of the 2023:2024 cycle in comparison with the 38,475 reported crimes during the fourth quarter of 2024/2025.

Contact crime:

-Crimes against persons reduced by 6.1% for the quarter.

-Murder reduced by 12.0%.

-Common robberies with aggravated circumstances reduced by 19.6%.

-Attempted murder reduced by 1.2%.

-Common assault reduced by 2.3%.

-In sexual offences, rape reduced by 2.4%.

-In aggravated robberies, car high jackings reduced by 32.4%

-Robberies at residential premises reduced by 7.7%.

-Robberies in non-residential areas reduced by 21.6%. 

There is a huge reduction in robberies of cash in transit, since the past year there have been no new bank robberies reported.

Property crime:

-Arson and malicious damage to property has reduced by 2.5%.

-Burglaries have increased by 8.5%. –

-Commercial crimes have reduced by 1.5% with shoplifting declining by 5.1%.

-Illegal possession of firearms has seen a decline of 2.7%.

-Ground related crimes have increased by 2.2%.

-Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has increased by 22.5%.

-Kidnapping has seen an increase of 14 counts from the 21st of June 2024 to 35 counts in the 4th quarter of 2025. 

Meanwhile, MEC Nqatha welcomed the statistics but acknowledged the ongoing challenges: “Today, we gather amid persistent criminal activities that continue to impact our communities especially women, children, and the elderly. Our province in not immune to such violation of the law,” he said. He further highlighted the severity of violent crime: “Crimes are often committed by armed criminals who do not hesitate to kill anyone who stands in their way. This reality has been tragically evident in recent incidents within our province.”

Despite these challenges, MEC Nqatha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to crime prevention and called on communities to play an active role: “We remain committed to working tirelessly to prevent such acts of criminality. However, we cannot do it alone. We urge all residents to partner with law enforcement. Crime is no longer a police matter-it is a societal issue that demands collective action,” he concluded.

MEC for Community Safety Xolile Nqatha held a Community Safety Imbizo on the 14 of March at Seaview Primary School outside Elliotdale .

The MEC together with Mbhashe Local Municipality and key stakeholders in the fight against crime which includes department of Department of Correctional Services, Department of Social Development, Department of Transport and South African Police Services.

The community raised their concerns to the MEC and his delegation one of the major issues were bad state of roads and high rate of crime including rape, murder and stock theft.

MEC of Community Safety Had ensured the gathered audience that all concerns which were raised will be attended to .MEC further handed over tools such as radios, Whistle blowers and reflector jackets to Community Police Forum, Blankets to the victim of crime, food parcels and school shoes.

The community welcomed the intervention of the MEC to improve their lives.