Gauteng has reported another decline in violent crime, according to the latest provincial crime statistics, but police have warned that several communities continue to face elevated risks of residential robberies and serious violent offences.
The figures, covering the period from January to March 2026, were presented by Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni during the province’s fourth-quarter crime briefing.
While overall contact crimes have steadily decreased over the past three years, Gauteng continues to record the highest volume of such offences in South Africa, reflecting the challenges associated with its large population, urban density and economic activity.
Statistics show that contact crimes dropped from 45,391 cases in 2024 to 41,527 in 2025 and further to 39,094 in 2026.
Johannesburg remains the province’s crime epicentre
Despite the downward trend, Gauteng remains the country’s leading contributor to contact crimes, which include murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault, common robbery and aggravated robbery.
Among the province’s districts, Johannesburg recorded the highest number of contact crimes with 15,059 cases, followed by Ekurhuleni with 9,146 and Tshwane with 8,946.
Sedibeng was the only district to register an increase, rising by 6.4% compared to the previous year.
Police station-level data revealed that Tembisa, Ivory Park, Johannesburg Central, Jeppe, Roodepoort, Temba, Mamelodi East, Alexandra, Hillbrow and Eldorado Park remain among the country’s most crime-affected policing precincts.
Sexual assault cases also increased slightly during the reporting period, climbing from 403 to 424 incidents.
Residential robberies decline but key hotspots persist
Residential robbery figures showed a more encouraging trend. Gauteng recorded 1,486 robberies at residential premises between January and March 2026, compared with 1,861 cases during the same period a year earlier.
However, several areas continue to experience persistent levels of home invasions and robberies.
Evaton ranked as the third-highest residential robbery hotspot nationally, while Dobsonville, Orange Farm, Temba, Honeydew, Lenasia, Loate, Mamelodi East, Kagiso and Brooklyn also featured prominently among the province’s worst-affected policing areas.
Police analysis of murder cases revealed that arguments, disputes and interpersonal conflicts remain the leading drivers of homicide in Gauteng. Mob justice emerged as the second most common cause of murder, highlighting ongoing concerns about vigilantism in some communities.
Robbery-related murders, revenge attacks, vehicle hijackings, taxi-industry violence, illegal mining disputes and gang activity also contributed to homicide figures.
Public spaces remained the most dangerous locations for murders, accounting for the majority of cases. Firearms continued to be the weapon most frequently used in killings, significantly outnumbering knives and other weapons.
Meanwhile, Operation Shanela 2 continued to deliver substantial law-enforcement results across the province.
During the quarter, police arrested more than 36,000 suspects, including over 11,700 illegal immigrants. Officers also recovered hundreds of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, large quantities of drugs, stolen vehicles and counterfeit goods.
Authorities further shut down more than 1,200 illegal liquor outlets and seized tens of thousands of litres of alcohol during enforcement operations.
Although the latest statistics suggest gradual improvements in several crime categories, Gauteng police acknowledge that sustained enforcement efforts will be required to address violent crime, organised criminal activity and residential robberies in the province’s most affected communities.
Source: South African Police Service (SAPS), Gauteng Provincial Crime Statistics Briefing