Limpopo records drop in serious crime
Limpopo recorded an overall decline in several serious and priority crime categories during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, covering April to June 2026.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said contact crime decreased by 4.5%, contact-related crime by 1.1%, and property-related crime by 8.9%. The broader category of 17 community-reported serious crimes declined by 3%.
Rape cases decreased by 2%, while common robbery fell by 12.8% and robbery with aggravating circumstances by 23.9%. Robbery at residential premises dropped by 33.3%, while non-residential robberies declined by 7.5%.
The province recorded a 23.1% reduction in trio crimes, with carjacking also declining by 38 cases.
SAPS Limpopo provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said the figures were encouraging but warned that lower crime statistics did not automatically mean communities felt safer.
Limpopo recorded a murder rate of about three murders per 100,000 people, the lowest among South Africa’s provinces.
MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye welcomed the figures and attributed the improvements to intensified policing and cooperation between law-enforcement agencies, government and communities.
She also called for stronger cooperation to tackle cross-border smuggling and related crimes.
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