Gauteng may have recorded improvements in several major crime categories during the final quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, but new figures show that many communities continue to face rising levels of serious and organised crime.
According to the Democratic Alliance (DA), several areas across Johannesburg, Tshwane and the West Rand experienced significant increases in kidnappings, truck hijackings, vehicle-related crimes and sexual offences, highlighting persistent safety challenges in the province.
The party argues that provincial averages can mask worsening conditions in specific communities where residents continue to experience growing insecurity.
Kidnapping Cases Raise Alarm Across Gauteng
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety Crezane Bosch said the sharp increase in kidnapping cases is among the most concerning trends identified in the latest crime statistics.
Kidnappings have increasingly been linked to organised criminal syndicates, extortion networks and ransom-related crimes in South Africa.
In Johannesburg, Jeppe recorded one of the largest increases, with kidnapping cases rising from 69 to 102 incidents, representing a 47.8% increase.
Other areas also saw substantial growth. Douglasdale recorded a 44.1% increase, while Honeydew experienced a 34.8% rise.
In Tshwane, both Mamelodi East and Loate reported an additional 12 kidnapping cases during the reporting period. Evaton, in the Emfuleni area, registered a 30.6% increase.
Bosch said these trends suggest that organised criminal activity remains deeply entrenched in certain parts of Gauteng despite broader improvements in crime figures.
Truck Hijackings and Violent Crime Hotspots Persist
The latest statistics also point to a dramatic rise in truck hijackings in several areas.
Barrage recorded a 350% increase in truck hijacking incidents, while Vanderbijlpark and Krugersdorp both experienced increases of 200%. Muldersdrift recorded a 300% rise.
Within Johannesburg, truck hijackings increased by 160% in Orange Farm and by 66.7% in Jeppe.
The DA said the figures highlight ongoing vulnerabilities along transport and logistics routes that are increasingly targeted by criminal groups.
Other crime categories also showed worrying increases in selected communities.
Ivory Park recorded a 10.5% increase in serious crimes overall, while Sinoville in Tshwane experienced a 45.8% rise in vehicle theft.
On the West Rand, Kagiso recorded increases across multiple categories, including murder, sexual offences, kidnappings and contact crimes.
The latest figures have renewed debate around policing effectiveness and resource allocation.
Earlier this month, DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane criticised staffing arrangements after finding the Edenvale Metro Police Department largely vacant following the redeployment of officers to Kempton Park.
Criminologist Professor Witness Maluleke from the University of Limpopo said effective crime prevention requires more than arrests alone.
He stressed that successful investigations, evidence gathering and prosecutions remain essential components of reducing serious crime and dismantling organised criminal networks.
As Gauteng continues to battle some of the country’s highest crime levels, authorities face growing pressure to address emerging hotspots where violent and organised crime remain on the rise.
Source: Democratic Alliance crime analysis and public comments from community safety and criminology experts.