BREAKING NEWS: LIMPOPO RECORDS SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN CRIME DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THE 2025/2026 FINANCIAL YEAR

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, together with the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye, on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, presented the Fourth Quarter Crime Statistics for the 2025/2026 financial year, highlighting significant reductions across several major crime categories in the province.

Addressing stakeholders, members of the media, civil society organisations, and law enforcement partners, Lieutenant General Hadebe described the crime statistics as a reflection of the resilience of Limpopo communities, the commitment of law enforcement agencies, and the dedication of police officers working tirelessly to ensure safer communities.

Among those in attendance were the Head of Department, Mr Steven Matjena; Deputy Provincial Commissioners Major General Scheepers, Major General Sebola, and Major General Masingi; District Commissioners; members of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster; the Provincial CPF Board Deputy Chairperson, Mr Patrick Lebogo; civil society organisations; and members of the media.

The Provincial Commissioner announced that Limpopo continues to maintain its position as one of the safest provinces in the country, recording the lowest murder ratio nationally at 3 per 100 000 inhabitants, compared to the national average of 8.2. Murder cases in the province further declined by 2.2% during the quarter under review.

Lieutenant General Hadebe further highlighted notable decreases in several major crime categories, including:

• A 6.7% decrease in the 17 community-reported serious crimes.

• A 5.8% reduction in contact crimes.

• A significant 18.3% decline in TRIO crimes.

• An 11.9% decrease in property-related crimes.

• A 6.8% reduction in other serious crimes.

The Provincial Commissioner attributed these achievements to intensified intelligence-driven operations, high-density policing under #OperationShanela, targeted deployments in identified crime hotspots, strengthened detective work, and improved collaboration between the police and communities. One of the province’s most notable achievements during the quarter was the substantial 27.6% reduction in stock theft cases. Police recovered 528 livestock, arrested 204 suspects linked to stock theft, and secured convictions against 57 offenders.

Lieutenant General Hadebe commended farming communities, traditional leaders, Community Policing Forums, Farm Watch structures, and #StockTheft forums for their continued partnership and support in the fight against rural crime. In the fight against commercial crime, police dismantled a major counterfeit goods syndicate in Musina, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit goods valued at approximately R80 million.

Police further intensified operations against #illegalmining and illicit mineral transportation activities. These operations included the interception of illegal chrome worth approximately R300 000 in Lebowakgomo, as well as the arrest of suspects linked to illegal mining activities in Northam.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), Lieutenant General Hadebe praised members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for their continued commitment to securing justice for victims of sexual violence and crimes against children.

During the quarter under review, the FCS Unit secured twelve life sentences in rape-related cases, while additional convictions resulted in cumulative prison sentences amounting to 565 years’ imprisonment.

Lieutenant General Hadebe urged communities to continue working closely with law enforcement agencies by reporting criminal activities, protecting vulnerable groups, and rejecting criminality in all its forms.

Meanwhile, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye, welcomed the decline in serious crime and GBVF-related offences in Limpopo, attributing the progress to the collective efforts of the police, community structures, and residents working together to combat crime.

The MEC further paid tribute to Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe for her 40 years of dedicated service, commending her leadership, commitment, and invaluable contribution to policing and community safety in Limpopo Province.

#PartnershipPolicing #CrimeStats