Violent crime rates in South Africa have fallen, but still remain at an "unacceptably high level."

South African acting police minister Fikile Mbalula said on the 20th that from October to December 2025, the number of murders and other violent crimes in South Africa decreased compared to the same period last year, but the overall situation remains severe, with the violent crime rate still at an "unacceptable high level". The South African Police Department released crime statistics on the same day, showing that in the fourth quarter of last year, the police recorded 6381 murder cases, a decrease of 602 cases compared to the same period in 2024, a decrease of 8.7%; overall, the number of violent crimes including murder, rape, and robbery decreased by 6.7% compared to the same period last year.