THE LIMPOPO SAPS RELEASES ITS 1ST QUARTER CRIME STATISTICS OF THE 2026/2027 FINACIAL YEAR

POLOKWANE | The Limpopo South African Police Services (SAPS) led by the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General JP Scheepers, together with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye, hosted the official release of the provincial crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year, covering a period from April 2026 to June 2026. The crime statistics was released today, on 01 September 2026, in Polokwane.

Among the stakeholders who attended this event includes the Provincial Head: Crime Registrar, Brigadier S.K Manthata. District Commissioners and Acting Provincial Chief Director Police Secretariat, Ms Mogashoa, the Mayoral Committee of Sports, Arts, Culture and Special Programmes, Cllr J Mamabolo, HOD of Transport and Community Safety, Mr S Matjena, Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Corporate Services Major General M Sebola, Major General V.S Masingi and Major General L.J Mashilo.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General JP Scheepers highlighted an overall reduction during the period under review which included contact crime of which decreased to 4,5 %, contact related crime by 1,1 % and property related crime by 8,9 %. However, there has been an increase of 3,7 % for other serious crime. On the other hand, the overall category of 17 community reported serious crimes declined by 3,0%. Besides, one of the significant crime statistics decrease is rape by 2% during the period under review. This shows an essential progress in Gender Based Violence as it is stated as one of the highest crime or pandemic in South Africa.

Lieutenant General JP Scheepers added that the crime statistics can easily sound like a collection of presentation of the totals and percentages, but behind every case there are people whose lives has been disrupted and families in pain. He emphasised that a reduction on paper does not automatically mean that every residence is safe. He further noted that their goal as the SAPS is to ensure the safety of the people in their homes, farms, schools, at work, while using a public transport and every village.

The Provincial Head: Crime registrar, Brigadier SK Manthata presented an overview of the provincial crime statistics of the first quarter with significant reduction on serious and violent crime categories, including common robbery by 12,8 %, robbery with aggravating circumstances by 23,9 %, robbery at residential premises by 33,3%; and robbery at non-residential premises by 7,5%. While presenting the statistics, Brigadier SK Manthata mentioned that one of the most significant recorded crimes is the reduction of murder, with Limpopo province which recorded the lowest of murder rate of approximately 3 murders per 100,000 population.

The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms V Mathye acknowledged the positive trends of the statistics presented by the Provincial commissioner and stated that the progress indeed reflect a proper picture for the man and woman in blue, their hard work and commitment to protecting and ensuring safety for all the people in the province.

The MEC, Ms V Mathye described the Limpopo province as having started the financial year on a positive state, with an overall reduction of 3% of the mentioned important crime categories. The MEC V Mathye further stressed that the battle against crime cannot be won by the police alone. She urged sustained cooperation between the police, communities, government departments, civil society, businesses, law-enforcement departments and other key stakeholders to improve crime prevention initiatives.

Our news reporters, Sinah Phaladi and Tebatso Seshoka covered the event.

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