South Africa: Kidnapping Remains Gauteng's Biggest Crime Headache

South Africa: Kidnapping Remains Gauteng's Biggest Crime Headache

· Gauteng recorded 5,066 fewer serious crimes in the first three months of 2026, with murder, rape and carjacking all showing declines.

Murders in Gauteng decrease while sexual assault and kidnapping trend upwards – The Mail & Guardian

Gauteng recorded an overall decrease in crime across 17 community-reported categories, although Gauteng accounts for 26% of such crimes reported nationally, Provincial Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni says. Presenting the province’s fourth-quarter crime statistics for the 2025/26 financial year, Mthombeni said Gauteng recorded a 15% decrease in murders and a 9.9% decline in rape cases. However, kidnapping increased by 1.6% while sexual assaul…

Gauteng's crime statistics: A decline in serious crimes but a rise in kidnappings

Gauteng Q4 Crime Stats: Serious Crimes Down 5.2%, But Concerns Persist Ahead of June 30 Marches

Gauteng police have released crime statistics for the period January to March 2026, revealing a nuanced picture of crime trends in South Africa's most

UPDATE | Gauteng crime stats: Murder rate drops by 15%, sexual assault up by 5.2%

Gauteng has recorded a 5.9% decline in contact crimes, including a 15% decrease in murder.

Kidnapping remains Gauteng's biggest crime headache

By Palesa Matlala • Gauteng recorded 5,066 fewer serious crimes in the first three months of 2026, with murder, rape and carjacking all showing declines. • Kidnappings increased by 1.6%, with more than half of the 2,404 cases linked to vehicle hijackings. Gauteng police say their crime-fighting operations are paying off, with several major crime categories showing a decline. But kidnappings remain a growing threat across the province. Provincial…