Empangeni Crime Statistics

Empangeni, King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay), KwaZulu-Natal — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F9/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

4,996

+1.5% vs 2024

Crime Rate

7,826

per 100k

Safety Score

9/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

85,112

Crime Breakdown — Empangeni (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Common assault	contact	837	16.8%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	696	13.9%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	676	13.5%
Burglary at residential premises	property	657	13.2%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	629	12.6%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	560	11.2%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	319	6.4%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	317	6.3%
Common robbery	contact	251	5.0%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	249	5.0%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	200	4.0%
Shoplifting	other-serious	165	3.3%
Rape	contact	155	3.1%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	153	3.1%
Attempted murder	contact	144	2.9%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	120	2.4%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	89	1.8%
Murder	contact	85	1.7%
Kidnapping	contact	63	1.3%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	44	0.9%
Carjacking	contact	43	0.9%
Stock Theft	property	39	0.8%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	37	0.7%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	35	0.7%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	32	0.6%
Sexual Assault	contact	24	0.5%
Arson	contact-related	19	0.4%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	9	0.2%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	5	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	3	0.1%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	3	0.1%
Abduction	contact	1	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	1	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%

Empangeni Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Empangeni Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Empangeni Safe?

No, Empangeni has high crime levels.

Empangeni scores 9/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Empangeni is 7,826 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Empangeni, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+155%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+1.5%

Relatively stable

Top Crime

Common assault

17% of all crime

Rank in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay)

12/12

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Empangeni

In 2025, Empangeni recorded 4,996 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Empangeni is Common assault with 837 reported cases (16.8% of all crime in Empangeni), followed by Drug-Related Crime at 696 cases (13.9%) and Commercial Crime at 676 cases (13.5%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Empangeni has increased by 1.5%, indicating a worsening trend for the Empangeni area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Empangeni?

The most reported crimes in Empangeni are Common assault (837 cases), Drug-Related Crime (696 cases), Commercial Crime (676 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Empangeni compare to other areas in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay)?

Empangeni has a crime rate of 7,826 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay), Ntambanana is safer with a rate of 356 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in King Cetshwayo (Richards Bay)

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Ntambanana	85,112	227	356	A (90)
Mbongolwane	85,112	280	438	A (87)
Ekombe	85,112	292	457	A (87)
Gingindlovu	85,112	598	936	B (74)
Nkandla	85,112	664	1,040	B (72)
Melmoth	85,112	958	1,500	C (61)
Kwambonambi	85,112	1,198	1,876	C (54)
Mtunzini	85,112	1,442	2,259	D (47)
Eshowe	85,112	2,084	3,265	F (33)
Esikhaleni	85,112	2,450	3,838	F (27)