KEY POINTS
- Murder, robbery, sexual offenses and assault seem to be showing a decrease in the Western Cape, according to SAPS.
- Police are sending rapid response teams to areas hit by gang violence.
- It is important to keep collaborating with communities and other government areas.
Serious crimes across the Western Cape dropped markedly during the fourth and final quarter of 2024/2025, according to reports from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
During a media briefing in Green Point, Lieutenant General (Adv.) TE Patekile, Provincial Commissioner for the Western Cape, stated that numbers for murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault and robbery went down last year in the Western Cape crime statistics.
The results of joint work are becoming visible
Chairperson Francina Lukas of the CPF and MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais, along with MP Dereleen James, heard the commissioner give credit to the decline in crime to strong policing, more involvement of the community and teamwork among different agencies.
He urged other departments and community organisations to join efforts against crime, according to SAPS spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut.
Gang violence and how to deal with it
The positive trends shown in the report still had SAPS top leaders recognizing that fighting crime requires constant effort. In order to tackle gang violence and other constant criminal dangers in vulnerable communities, new rapid response measures are being put into action.
“These achievements prove we are making progress,” said Traut. Even so, the SAPS is working to improve security and protection throughout the Western Cape.
Western Cape crime statistics shows public support is very important
The SAPS said that everyone, including the public, civil society and government officials, should join efforts, as community engagement plays a big role in stopping crime in the long run.
