The above is North West police commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Adams

North West crime shows slight decline, but murder and rural crime remain a concern

North West authorities have welcomed a slight decline in crime during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, while warning that serious challenges, including murder, domestic violence, stock theft and illegal mining, remain.

Speaking during the release of the provincial crime statistics, North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management said the province was among those to record a reduction in 17 community-reported serious crimes between April and June 2026.

However, the MEC cautioned against complacency, saying every reported crime represented a victim, a grieving family or a community living in fear.

The department expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and said SAPS was prioritising investigations into several high-profile cases, including those involving Thato Molosankwe and Letsie.

The MEC also called for stronger protection of whistle-blowers, anti-crime activists and human rights defenders, saying their safety was essential to building safer communities.

The department said it would intensify oversight of high-crime police stations, focusing on police visibility, response times, detective services, case management and crime prevention plans.

Particular attention would also be given to domestic violence, rural safety, stock theft and illegal mining.

The MEC announced plans for a three-day strategic session with SAPS in the province to develop district- and station-specific interventions.

The session will also assess the functioning of Community Police Forums and Community Safety Forums and strengthen cooperation between police, municipalities and communities.

The department said crime statistics should be used to guide policing resources and urgent interventions across the province.