Patekile: Latest crime stats show steady progress in efforts to reduce crime in WC
Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile released the province's crime statistics on Monday, which reflected a slight decrease in several contact crime categories, including murder and attempted murder.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile (right) and provincial MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais (left) released the province's crime statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024/2025 in Cape Town on 26 May 2025. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said that the latest crime stats showed steady progress in their efforts to reduce crime.
Patekile released the province's crime statistics on Monday, which reflected a slight decrease in several contact crime categories, including murder and attempted murder.
However, the numbers also showed an increase in the number of reported cases of gender-based violence, arson, and commercial crimes.
The Western Cape also still features in the top four provinces with the highest murder rates in the country, with Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape also making that list.
Between January and March this year, 1,068 people were killed in the Western Cape.
That's 44 fewer people compared to the same period last year.
Patekile said that these numbers were still concerning.
"We acknowledge that a lot needs to be done. Yes, we are still grappling with high incidents of gender-based violence in communities, a scare that requires a whole-of-society approach and a whole-of-government approach."
Patekile said that SAPS and City of Cape Town law enforcement agencies would embark on a large-scale crime fighting operation soon to restore order on the Cape Flats.