Limpopo recorded an overall decline in several serious and priority crime categories during the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year, according to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The statistics, covering the period from April to June 2026, were released in Polokwane on Tuesday by Limpopo SAPS provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers and MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye.
Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the province recorded a 4.5% decrease in contact crime, while contact-related crime dropped by 1.1%.
Property-related crime also declined by 8.9% during the period under review.
Although other serious crimes increased by 3.7%, the broader category of 17 community-reported serious crimes recorded an overall decline of 3%.
The province also recorded a 2% reduction in reported rape cases.
Scheepers said the decline in crime statistics should not automatically be interpreted as an indication that communities felt safer.
He said SAPS needed to ensure that improvements reflected in crime statistics translated into safer homes, workplaces and communities.
The decline in property-related crime was attributed to intensified policing operations, crime prevention initiatives and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, government structures and communities.
Provincial head of the Crime Registrar Brigadier SK Manthata provided a detailed breakdown of the crime trends recorded during the first quarter.
Common robbery declined by 12.8%, while robbery with aggravating circumstances dropped by 23.9%.
Robbery at residential premises decreased by 33.3%, while robberies at non-residential premises fell by 7.5%.
The reductions contributed to a 23.1% decrease in trio crimes, while carjacking cases declined by 38 incidents.
Murder also continued to show a downward trend in the province.
According to SAPS, Limpopo recorded approximately three murders per 100,000 people, giving it the lowest murder rate among South Africa’s provinces during the period under review.
Mathye welcomed the figures, saying Limpopo had made a positive start to the new financial year, with an overall 3% decline recorded across the relevant crime categories.
She credited the progress to intensified policing, improved cooperation and the combined efforts of organisations and structures involved in crime prevention.
Mathye said the responsibility for fighting crime could not rest with the police alone.
She called for closer cooperation between SAPS, government departments, law enforcement agencies, communities, traditional leaders, businesses, civil society and faith-based organisations.
She also urged authorities to strengthen cooperation in tackling cross-border smuggling and other related criminal activities.
Mathye said coordinated interventions involving relevant authorities and neighbouring jurisdictions were needed to address such crimes effectively.
She praised police officers for their continued efforts to combat serious crime and improve the safety of communities across the province.
