Chatsworth, Verulam and Phoenix rank among SA’s highest-contact-crime police stations

Chatsworth, Verulam, and Phoenix were among South Africa's top 30 police stations in terms of reported contact crimes during the first quarter of 2026/27. Contact crimes encompass murder, attempted murder, sexual offenses, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia released crime statistics for the period of April to June 2026, revealing Chatsworth's 19th position among the 30 stations and Verulam's 23rd.

Phoenix ranked 28th nationally but 10th locally. In total, there were 5,427 murder cases, 1,179 of which occurred in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the second-highest number in the country. Additionally, 6,958 attempted murder cases, 38,589 assaults with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and 26,839 robberies with aggravating circumstances were recorded.

Cachalia emphasized that behind each statistic lies a victim, grieving family, and traumatised community. He noted a decrease in murder and other serious crimes, attributing these reductions to intelligence-led policing, targeted operations, and improved collaboration between law enforcement agencies. However, he acknowledged that despite the percentage decreases, many South Africans continue to suffer from violent crime.

Gareth Naidoo, spokesperson for KZN VIP Protection Services in Phoenix, highlighted that a significant number of cases go unreported due to perceived lengthy or ineffective processes. He also pointed out an increase in opportunistic crimes linked to substance abuse and the accessibility of illicit drugs. Naidoo stressed the importance of cooperation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security, emphasizing the need for consistent communication and information sharing.

Val Pillay, interim chairperson of the Phoenix CPF, expressed concern over Phoenix's high ranking in contact crimes, stating that the statistics should prompt an inquiry into the underlying reasons and required interventions. Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa, suggested that the decrease in statistics might be due to low reporting, particularly of murder cases.

He noted an increase in killings, often linked to taxi or drug wars, or alcohol-fuelled incidents. Balram warned that residents are becoming increasingly fearful as perpetrators become more violent, even attacking elderly and disabled individuals. Despite a decline in serious crimes, Pillay and Balram stressed that the situation on the ground remains different.