Ladysmith Crime Statistics

Ladysmith, Uthukela (Ladysmith), KwaZulu-Natal — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F2/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

4,605

-2.5% vs 2024

Crime Rate

12,450

per 100k

Safety Score

2/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

49,318

Crime Breakdown — Ladysmith (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	763	16.6%
Common assault	contact	715	15.5%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	545	11.8%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	540	11.7%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	536	11.6%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	425	9.2%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	417	9.1%
Burglary at residential premises	property	364	7.9%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	256	5.6%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	249	5.4%
Common robbery	contact	196	4.3%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	171	3.7%
Shoplifting	other-serious	165	3.6%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	140	3.0%
Stock Theft	property	113	2.5%
Rape	contact	111	2.4%
Attempted murder	contact	101	2.2%
Murder	contact	61	1.3%
Kidnapping	contact	59	1.3%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	47	1.0%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	43	0.9%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	31	0.7%
Sexual Assault	contact	27	0.6%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	25	0.5%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	16	0.3%
Arson	contact-related	8	0.2%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	5	0.1%
Carjacking	contact	4	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	3	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	1	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	1	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	1	0.0%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Ladysmith Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Ladysmith Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Ladysmith Safe?

No, Ladysmith has high crime levels.

Ladysmith scores 2/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Ladysmith is 12,450 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Ladysmith, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+306%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

-2.5%

Relatively stable

Top Crime

All theft not mentioned elsewhere

17% of all crime

Rank in Uthukela (Ladysmith)

16/16

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Ladysmith

In 2025, Ladysmith recorded 4,605 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Ladysmith is All theft not mentioned elsewhere with 763 reported cases (16.6% of all crime in Ladysmith), followed by Common assault at 715 cases (15.5%) and Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm at 545 cases (11.8%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Ladysmith has decreased by 2.5%, a positive sign for the Ladysmith community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Ladysmith?

The most reported crimes in Ladysmith are All theft not mentioned elsewhere (763 cases), Common assault (715 cases), Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (545 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Ladysmith compare to other areas in Uthukela (Ladysmith)?

Ladysmith has a crime rate of 12,450 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Uthukela (Ladysmith), Van Reenen is safer with a rate of 349 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Uthukela (Ladysmith)

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Van Reenen	49,318	129	349	A (90)
Weenen	49,318	233	631	A (82)
Upper Tugela	49,318	240	649	A (82)
Colenso	49,318	282	762	B (78)
Elandslaagte	49,318	317	858	B (76)
Ematsheni	49,318	333	900	B (75)
Wembezi	49,318	344	931	B (75)
Winterton	49,318	364	983	B (73)
Besters	49,318	369	998	B (73)
Amangwe	49,318	461	1,247	B (67)