South Africa Crime Statistics

Comprehensive crime data for every province, city, and police precinct in South Africa. Make informed decisions about safety in your area.

Data sourced from the South African Police Service (SAPS) quarterly crime statistics. Coverage: 1,350 police precincts across 9 provinces, fiscal years 2018/19 through 2025/26.

National Overview

Total Crimes

1,854,609

1.6%

All Crime Rate

3,067 / 100k

Violent Crime Rate

1,103 / 100k

Population

60,470,997

National Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Provinces

Most Dangerous Areas

Precinct	City	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
OR Tambo International Airport	Gauteng Ports of Entry	1	614	81,900,000	F (1)
Maydon Wharf	KZN Ports of Entry (Sea)	1	279	37,200,000	F (1)
King Shaka International Airport	KZN Ports of Entry (Air)	1	128	17,100,000	F (1)
Hermanus	Overberg	23,963	4,331	24,100	F (1)
Park Road	Bloemfontein (Mangaung)	38,640	6,662	22,989	F (1)

Safest Areas

Precinct	City	Population	Safety
Berlin	East London	40,636	N/A (0)
Bityi	OR Tambo (Mthatha)	75,085	N/A (0)
Cradock	Chris Hani (Queenstown)	25,103	N/A (0)
Elliot	Chris Hani (Queenstown)	25,103	N/A (0)
Fort Beaufort	Amathole	21,790	N/A (0)

Crime Rate by Province (2025)

Rank	Province	All Crime	Violent Crime	Stations
1	Western Cape	5,626 / 100k	1,626 / 100k	153
2	Northern Cape	3,767 / 100k	1,497 / 100k	94
3	Free State	3,697 / 100k	1,479 / 100k	113
4	Gauteng	3,035 / 100k	1,100 / 100k	146
5	North West	2,821 / 100k	1,146 / 100k	86
6	Eastern Cape	2,727 / 100k	1,035 / 100k	221
7	KwaZulu-Natal	2,614 / 100k	1,022 / 100k	187
8	Mpumalanga	1,956 / 100k	743 / 100k	90
9	Limpopo	1,942 / 100k	709 / 100k	106

Crime in South Africa

South Africa recorded 1,854,609 crimes across its 1,150+ police precincts during the 2025/26 fiscal year, representing a crime rate of 3,067 per 100,000 population. Crime statistics are compiled from data reported by the South African Police Service (SAPS) across all precincts nationwide, covering contact crimes, property crimes, and crimes detected through police action.

Is South Africa Safe?

Safety in South Africa varies enormously by area. While high-profile crime makes international headlines, many suburbs and towns maintain low crime rates comparable to global averages. The key is knowing which areas to be cautious in. SafetyBrief helps residents, visitors, and investors make data-driven safety decisions by providing precinct-level crime data and safety scores for every area in the country.

How We Calculate Safety Scores

Each police precinct receives a safety score from 0 to 100 and a letter grade (A through F) based on its total crime rate relative to the national average. Areas scoring 80+ (Grade A) have crime rates significantly below the national average, while areas scoring below 35 (Grade F) experience crime rates well above average. See our methodology page for full details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in South Africa?

South Africa's overall crime rate is approximately 3,067 per 100,000 population based on the latest 2025/26 SAPS data. This covers 1,854,609 reported crimes across all police precincts nationwide.

Which province has the most crime in South Africa?

Western Cape has the highest crime rate at 5,626 per 100,000 population, with 400,221 total reported crimes across 153 police precincts.

Is South Africa safe to visit?

South Africa is a popular tourist destination visited by millions each year. Safety varies significantly by area. Tourist-frequented areas in Cape Town, the Garden Route, and Kruger Park generally have adequate security infrastructure. Visitors should research specific areas using crime data, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, and follow standard precautions.

How often is the crime data updated?

SAPS releases crime statistics quarterly, following the government fiscal year (April to March). Data is typically published 6-8 weeks after each quarter ends. SafetyBrief updates as new data becomes available.