SAPS to release Q4 crime stats what Joburg residents should watch for

What the update will cover

The release will show crime trends across the country for the fourth quarter (Jan–Mar 2026), building on the SAPS third-quarter figures published earlier this year. That earlier report showed a mixed picture: several major violent crime categories had declined in the October–December 2025 period, but significant concerns remained about persistent levels of violent crime and gender-based violence.

Key figures and issues to watch

Joburg residents should watch for updates on the following issues that the previous report highlighted and that the new release is expected to address:

• Whether downward trends continued into the first three months of 2026 after the declines seen in some violent crime categories in the prior quarter.
• Gender-based violence the earlier statistics recorded more than 11,000 rape cases in a single quarter, a major national concern that officials and communities have been tracking closely.
• Regional hotspots and precinct performance several police precincts in the Western Cape and Gauteng were identified among the worst-affected areas for murder and violent crime; the new figures may show whether those patterns changed.
• Emerging hotspots and policing challenges nationwide that the SAPS is expected to highlight.

Why Joburg should pay attention

Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg, was mentioned among provinces with precincts ranking among the worst-affected for murder and violent crime in the previous set of statistics. The upcoming release will provide the latest picture of whether violence and organised crime trends in the province are improving or worsening, and will flag areas where policing resources and community safety efforts may need to be intensified.

When and where to follow the release

The presentation takes place at 1pm on Friday at the GCIS Auditorium in Hatfield, Pretoria. Officials expecting to present the figures are Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale and Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane. The release is expected to offer insight into recent trends and highlight policing challenges nationwide.

What residents can do now

Watch the SAPS release for the latest data on violent crime, gender-based violence and local hotspots, and expect further reporting once the figures are published. Community groups, neighbourhood watches and local police forums can use the new statistics to assess whether previous patterns have shifted and to prioritise local safety responses.