Murder in Gauteng drops by 10.7% as committee calls for intensified action against illegal firearms and urgent intervention at Honeydew
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has welcomed the continued decline in crime across Gauteng, while cautioning that the fight against crime is far from over.
The Committee received the First Quarter Crime Statistics for the 2026/27 financial year (April to June 2026) from Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana on Friday.
The statistics reflect encouraging progress across several major crime categories, including a 10.7% reduction in murder, a 9.1% decline in Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), a 3.2% reduction in contact-related crimes, a 2.7% decrease in property-related crimes, and a 0.6% decline in other serious crimes.
The Committee views the reduction in murder as particularly significant, as it represents lives saved and safer communities. However, it emphasised that crime statistics are not merely numbers. Behind every crime is a victim, a family and a community affected by violence and insecurity. The true measure of progress is whether residents feel safer in their homes, on public transport, in places of work and within their communities.
A key area of concern remains the continued role of firearms in violent crime. While the Committee welcomed the recovery of 282 firearms, including 22 rifles and nine shotguns, it noted with concern that firearms were used in 652 murder cases during the reporting period.
The Committee believes that sustained reductions in violent crime will require an aggressive and coordinated campaign to remove illegal firearms from circulation. Intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling firearm trafficking syndicates, disrupting illegal firearm networks and targeting unlawful possession of firearms must remain a law-enforcement priority.
In this regard, the Committee welcomes the anticipated establishment of a dedicated Firearm Unit within the South African Police Service. This development lends significant support to the Committee’s long-standing campaign for the removal of illegal firearms from Gauteng’s streets. A specialised unit focused on tracing, recovering and disrupting illegal firearm networks has the potential to strengthen efforts to reduce firearm-related violence and save lives.
The Committee further reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the vision of a Gun-Free Gauteng, recognising that every illegal firearm removed from circulation reduces the likelihood of violent crime and contributes to safer communities.
The Committee also welcomed the impact of Operation Shanela, which resulted in 38,564 arrests during the quarter, including 14,256 arrests of undocumented migrants, 148 arrests for murder, and 279 arrests for robbery, among other offences. These results demonstrate the value of visible policing, targeted operations and effective investigations in combating crime.
Despite the overall positive provincial picture, the Committee expressed serious concern about the performance of Honeydew Police Station, which emerged as the worst-performing police station in Gauteng and the fourth worst-performing police station nationally.
The Committee believes that this situation requires urgent attention. Provincial crime reductions are of little comfort to residents living in communities where crime remains unacceptably high and confidence in local policing is under strain
Accordingly, the Committee has called for a dedicated intervention to identify the factors contributing to Honeydew’s poor performance and to implement a clear, measurable turnaround plan.
As part of its oversight programme, the Committee has resolved to convene a community Imbizo in Honeydew, bringing together residents, Community Policing Forums, law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to discuss local crime challenges and identify practical solutions
The engagement will provide a platform for direct community input and help strengthen partnerships in the fight against crime.
While encouraged by the progress reflected in the latest crime statistics, the Committee cautioned against complacency and called on all stakeholders to sustain the momentum. It urged the police to intensify efforts against violent crime and illegal firearms, while encouraging communities to remain active partners in crime prevention and reporting criminal activity.
The Committee will continue to exercise robust oversight over the South African Police Service and other law-enforcement agencies to ensure that gains made in reducing crime are sustained, underperforming police stations receive targeted support and every community in Gauteng receives the protection and safety it deserves.
For interview requests with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee please contact: Mr Thebe Khumalo on 072 266 1021 email: TKhumalo@gpl.gov.za
