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- 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 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.
- Imbizo
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.
- Social Crime Prevention Programme
The Department of Community Safety in Partnership with Peace Committee and Elndini Local Municipality Safety Forum held a Social Crime Prevention Campaign with special focus on stock theft at Upper Tokwana in Mount Fletcher on the 27 of February 2025.
The aim of the programme was to commemorate the peace agreement between Lesotho and South Africa after many lives had been lost due to stock theft.The South African peace committee took an initiative to make peace with with Lesotho and vowed not to steal from each other again.
The Acting Head of Department of Community Safety Mr Zukile Kani speaking on behalf of the Department said they support the peace between these two countries. He also mentioned that the Department had hosted a crime summit in November 2023 where the Department together with peace committtees were discussing strategies to strengthen the relations between these countries.
This august ocassion was honored by the Department of Community Safety officials , Government of Lesotho ,Traditional leaders of Lesotho, Community Safety Forum of Republic of South Africa and Lesotho Peace Committees .
Soccer Kits and a trophy were handed over to both the Vultures and Refele (winners) Soccer teams who competed on the day .Joe Gqabi District Manager Mr Monwabisi Mathumbu and Chaiperson of the Peace Committee Mr Makhehle Gumeke were gifted Sotho Blanket as a token of Appreciation by Peace Comittees
- Strategic Planning Session
The Department of Community Safety is conducting a Strategic Planning Session at ICC Hotel in East London. The purpose of the engagement is to reflect on Political and Administrative directives for the five-year plan, to receive expectations from stakeholders and to receive update on the organizational review process.
MEC Xolile Nqatha joined the Session to present a political overview of the proceedings.
- MEC IMBIZO
MEC for Community Safety Xolile Nqatha held a Community Safety,on 2nd May 2024 at Godidi Centane
The MEC and his delegation started with school visits to Macibe Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School ,where he donated school shoes and shoes and sanitary towels ,He then spoke about the importance of studying and being resilient.
“staying true to yourself and values determines the future you want to create”
The Delegation then proceeded to Kwatyhali komkhulu in Godidi Administrative area ,the residents came out in numbers to honour this invitation .The Community Mebers voiced out some positive feedback regarding the State roads in some parts of the area,following requests that they had made.
