Gauteng crime stats: Murder down, but no room for complacency

Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana presented the Gauteng Community Safety Committee with the 1st Quarter Crime Statistics for the 2026/27 financial year, spanning April to June 2026. The statistics revealed significant reductions in various crime categories, including a 10.7% drop in murder and 9.1% decline in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

Committee Chairperson Bandile Masuku hailed the double-digit drop in the murder rate, emphasizing that every percentage point translates to a human life, a family, and a community in need of protection. However, Masuku warned against complacency, insisting that crime statistics must result in safer streets and homes. Firearms were involved in 652 murder cases during the period, underscoring the ongoing issue of illegal and uncontrolled firearms in Gauteng's violent crime crisis.

Masuku emphasized the need for a Gun-Free Gauteng and continued advocacy for removing firearms from circulation. The Committee expressed serious concern about the performance of the Honeydew Police Station, the worst-performing police station in Gauteng and the fourth-worst-performing nationally. Masuku called for a special, dedicated intervention at Honeydew Police Station to address its poor performance and implement a clear, measurable turnaround strategy.