By BAKANG MOKOTO
7 September 2026 – The Northern Cape recorded mixed crime trends during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, with seven of the 17 community-reported serious crime categories showing decreases while several violent and contact crimes increased.
The statistics for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2026, were released in Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 4 September 2026, by the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, together with Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Limakatso Koloi and MEC for Women, Children, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Mirriam Kibi.
The presentation was delivered by Provincial Crime Registrar Brigadier Samuel Mathe and covered crime trends across the province’s five policing districts.
Otola said the figures should be used to understand crime patterns and assess whether policing strategies are producing the required results.
“The release of these statistics is not merely about presenting figures. It is about understanding the crime picture, identifying emerging trends and patterns, assessing our policing response, and strengthening our interventions where they are most needed,” she said.
Murder decreased by 22 cases, while attempted murder increased by 134 cases, representing a 31.5% rise. Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm increased by 118 cases, while common assault decreased by 48 cases, and aggravated robbery increased by eight cases. Sexual offences rose by 92 cases, or 32.9%, with rape increasing by 86 cases, representing a 43.4% increase.
Contact crime increased by 268 cases, or 6.7%, while the 17 community-reported serious crimes increased by 2.6%. Property-related crimes showed some improvement, with burglaries at non-residential premises decreasing by 44 cases and residential burglaries dropping by 76 cases, while stock theft decreased by 32 cases.
Several other categories recorded increases, including commercial crime, which rose by 70 cases, theft out of or from motor vehicles by 37 cases, and drug-related crimes detected through police action by 196 cases, representing a 31.6% increase. Crimes detected as a result of police action increased by 191 cases, or 25.2%, while shoplifting decreased by 70 cases.
Otola said the increases needed to be understood within the wider social and economic environment and could not be addressed by policing alone. “While SAPS has a critical responsibility to prevent, combat and investigate crime, these challenges require a whole-of-society response,” she said.
She said the South African Police Service’s Reset Agenda required the province to examine its policing methods, strengthen accountability and ensure that available resources were used effectively. “The Reset Agenda is not simply a policy statement; it must translate into measurable action at station, district and provincial level,” Otola said.
The Provincial Commissioner also highlighted excessive alcohol and substance abuse as among the factors contributing to increases in some contact crime categories. She said SAPS would intensify Imbizo programmes, social crime prevention initiatives, awareness campaigns and engagements with Community Policing Forums, traditional and community leaders, schools, municipalities, businesses and other stakeholders.
Koloi said the statistics provided an opportunity to assess the state of safety and security in the province while recognising areas where progress had been made. She commended the police for their work and said the reductions showed that focused operations, intelligence-led interventions, visible policing and cooperation between law-enforcement agencies could make a difference.
“Of particular concern remains violent crime and crimes committed against women and children.
“The continued prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against vulnerable members of society demands a coordinated and uncompromising response,” said Koloi.
Kibi also raised concern about the increase in sexual offences and commended communities for reporting crimes.
“The abuse of women and children is unacceptable,” she said, pledging stronger collaboration between her department, SAPS and other government departments to ensure survivors receive the necessary protection.
Kibi further stressed the importance of public safety ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for November 2026, saying communities should be able to participate in the electoral process without violence or fear.
The Guardian 