Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia has released the latest crime stats, and infers that State Capture is still in force. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach) 
The number of killings recorded in South Africa has dropped slightly over three months, a period that coincides with the eruption of the country’s unprecedented law enforcement scandal.
On Friday, 28 November 2025, two sets of South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics were released to the public.
Speaking just ahead of the figures being delivered, acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said: “Criminal networks infiltrate political parties, government departments, and procurement systems to steal public funds.
“[…] We have seen the damage that State Capture has done to our country and its institutions, and we now know that capture continues in different forms.”
Murder down, sexual offences up
The released crime statistics cover three months from April to June 2025, as well as from the start of July to the end of September.
Most of the focus on Friday was on the latter period.
It emerged that the number of murders recorded in South Africa between July and September this year – 5,794 – has dropped by 751 cases compared to the same period last year.
Carjacking and residential robberies also decreased, whereas sexual offences increased.
/file/attachments/orphans/1napArtboard1card_952584.jpg "(Graphic: Daniella Lee Ming Yesca)")
The main causes of killings in the country included arguments and robberies.
Most occurred in public spaces.
The start of the period covered by the latest statistics, July 2025, coincides with the date of the press conference held by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during which he made astounding accusations that sparked what has become an unprecedented national policing scandal.
Mkhwanazi essentially alleged that a drug trafficking cartel has infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system and politics.
Two hearings – the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s ad hoc committee – were created and are investigating his accusations.
Cachalia referred to the Madlanaga Commission and the ad hoc committee while outlining South Africa’s crime situation on Friday.
‘Fancy suits and designer clothes’
Speaking about criminal infiltration of political parties and government departments, he said that “we have seen recently” that there were individuals who wore “fancy suits and designer clothes, pretending that they are legitimate businesspeople”.
“This is why the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad hoc inquiry are so important for the future of criminal justice in our country.”
Cachalia appeared to be referencing organised crime accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is central to the law enforcement scandal and who testified before the ad hoc committee this week.
/file/attachments/orphans/ED_588250_571722.jpg "Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala testifies before the parliamentary ad hoc committee, which is investigating alleged corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system, on November 27, 2025. The committee moved to the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria, South Africa, to hear Matlala’s testimony. (Photo: Frennie Shivambu / Gallo Images)")
The committee held its hearings at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru Prison, where he is detained, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Matlala wore designer clothing, along with ankle shackles, over the two days of testimony.
Read more: Ex-police minister Bheki Cele was an ‘extortionist’ who asked me for R1m, says ‘Cat’ Matlala
Cachalia said an example of the ongoing capture in South Africa involved Gauteng’s Tembisa Hospital, where syndicates were involved in looting worth R2-billion.
“I worry that this may be the pattern elsewhere,” he said.
“These are the kinds of crime that do not necessarily show up in the crime statistics, which is why I thought I should focus on such matters.”
‘Follow the money’
Cachalia said tackling organised crime and associated corruption “must be” a national priority, and the police needed focused, specialised capabilities.
He also called for improved collaboration between the police, South African Revenue Service, financial regulators and the private sector.
“We must follow the money and hit the criminals where it hurts, in their pockets,” Cachalia said.
“We need fast, effective prosecutions and strong witness protection to turn investigations into convictions.”
#sapsHQ Follow this link for the #CrimeStats reflecting on crimes that occurred during the first and second quarters of the current financial year (April 2025 – June 2025 and July 2025 - September 2025) NP https://t.co/iCOQKccODc pic.twitter.com/S7AiVLcYt4
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 28, 2025
He said professionalising the police service was another of his priorities. This arena was linked to concerns about “political interference” and the “abuse of political power”, much like the accusations the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee are investigating.
“We need a professional police service which acts outside of the political process without fear or favour,” Cachalia said.
“Professionalising policing is the foundation of public safety. When the police act with integrity, competence and respect for the law, communities can feel safe, and victims and whistleblowers gain the confidence to report on crime.”
Tackling gangsterism
Cachalia on Friday repeatedly referenced gang violence and flagged the Western Cape.
The province is known as South Africa’s gangsterism capital because of the high rate of related crime.
According to the statistics released on Friday, between July and September this year, of the 315 gang-related murders recorded across the country, the absolute majority, 293, occurred in the Western Cape.
/file/attachments/orphans/TheprovincialdistributionofmurdersaccordingtotheSouthAfricanPoliceServicestatisticscoveringJulytoSeptember2025_549397.png "Screengrabs from a South African Police Service presentation released on 28 November 2025, which focused on crime statistics covering July to September 2025. <br>")
Cachalia said combating gang violence required “effective no-compromise policing”.
Read more: Cachalia outlines strategy to combat Western Cape gangsterism and extortion
He added that it was necessary to ensure “gang lords pay for the harm [they inflict in South Africa]”.
An integrated anti-gang strategy is now in place in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
The police ministry will monitor the implementation of this plan.
Impact of a scandal
Official police quarterly crime statistics are usually released within the second month after the period under scrutiny ends.
This means that the statistics released on Friday, covering April to June this year, were delayed.
Daily Maverick previously reported that this was because of the developing law enforcement scandal.
Read more: Policing scandal delays release of SA’s latest crime statistics
It involved the police minister at the time, Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on special leave in July because of allegations that surfaced against him.
He has denied wrongdoing.
Mchunu’s sidelining paved the way for Cachalia to become acting police minister.
This switch-up was one of the issues that affected the release of the statistics.
Setting the Record Straight
— Senzo Mchunu (@SenzoMchunuM) October 31, 2025
I want to address false allegations suggesting that I received financial support for the ANC January 8th event , or any other financial support, or that I sought funding for a so-called “Senzo Mchunu political campaign.”
Let me state this clearly: no… pic.twitter.com/rVPpwJE8wk
Cachalia on Friday had a somewhat positive outlook on policing going forward.
He described what was happening in the policing arena as a “reset”.
“I believe that further progress is possible over time, but it requires persistence and determination,” Cachalia said.
“The possibilities […] for progress depend on the involvement of civil society, on government […] businesses, communities working together.”
Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission and the ad hoc committee are set to continue and reveal more accusations among the country’s police officers. DM