11 Cape Town police precincts rank among South Africa’s 30 highest for murder

Despite a decrease in reported murders across the Western Cape, 11 Cape Town police precincts rank among the highest in South Africa for murder cases, according to the latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year. The province recorded 1,071 murders, down from 1,148 in the same period last year.

The high murder rate is attributed to firearm violence, with 663 murders committed using firearms. Gang conflict, fights, retaliation, and vigilantism contribute significantly to the violence, particularly on the Cape Flats. The Mother City has recorded a fourth consecutive quarterly decline in serious crime. However, the surge in gun-related killings and gang violence remains a concern.

Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, noted that the decreasing trend is due to intelligence-led policing and targeted operations by law enforcement agencies. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, expressed cautious optimism, attributing the decline in murders to focused resources in hotspots and the implementation of hotspot policing projects in areas like Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Delft.