Pongola Crime Statistics

Pongola, Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F23/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

2,028

+11.4% vs 2024

Crime Rate

4,302

per 100k

Safety Score

23/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

62,853

Crime Breakdown — Pongola (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	508	25.0%
Common assault	contact	328	16.2%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	308	15.2%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	271	13.4%
Burglary at residential premises	property	181	8.9%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	165	8.1%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	151	7.4%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	131	6.5%
Rape	contact	124	6.1%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	87	4.3%
Stock Theft	property	60	3.0%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	59	2.9%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	48	2.4%
Common robbery	contact	39	1.9%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	37	1.8%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	36	1.8%
Attempted murder	contact	28	1.4%
Murder	contact	23	1.1%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	21	1.0%
Kidnapping	contact	20	1.0%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	16	0.8%
Sexual Assault	contact	12	0.6%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	11	0.5%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	11	0.5%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	7	0.3%
Public violence	contact-related	7	0.3%
Shoplifting	other-serious	7	0.3%
Carjacking	contact	4	0.2%
Abduction	contact	3	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	3	0.1%
Arson	contact-related	1	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Pongola Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Pongola Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Pongola Safe?

No, Pongola has high crime levels.

Pongola scores 23/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Pongola is 4,302 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Pongola, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+40%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+11.4%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm

25% of all crime

Rank in Zululand

13/15

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Pongola

In 2025, Pongola recorded 2,028 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Pongola is Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm with 508 reported cases (25.0% of all crime in Pongola), followed by Common assault at 328 cases (16.2%) and Drug-Related Crime at 308 cases (15.2%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Pongola has increased by 11.4%, indicating a worsening trend for the Pongola area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Pongola?

The most reported crimes in Pongola are Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (508 cases), Common assault (328 cases), Drug-Related Crime (308 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Pongola compare to other areas in Zululand?

Pongola has a crime rate of 4,302 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Zululand, Magudu is safer with a rate of 240 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Zululand

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Magudu	62,853	113	240	A (94)
Mpungamhlophe	62,853	113	240	A (94)
Ngome	62,853	151	320	A (91)
Louwsburg	62,853	156	331	A (91)
Ceza	62,853	204	433	A (87)
Babanango	62,853	260	552	A (84)
Gluckstadt	62,853	291	617	A (83)
Mahlabathini	62,853	413	877	B (76)
Hlobane	62,853	706	1,497	C (61)
Paulpietersburg	62,853	1,000	2,121	C (50)