The North West province has recorded a 4.1% decrease in reported crimes during the October–December period of 2025.
The Provincial Police released the statistics on Tuesday in Mahikeng alongside the MEC for Public Safety, Wessels Morweng.
According to Morweng, a total of 1,110 cases were reported across 17 communities during the period, marking the lowest figure recorded since 2022. He attributed the decline to collaborative efforts through multi-disciplinary crime-fighting operations.
“In general, the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year ended on a positive note. This was achieved through intensified crime-prevention initiatives such as Operation Safer Festive Season and Operation Shanela. Collaboration with other law-enforcement agencies also yielded positive results, particularly in crimes detected as a result of police action,” Morweng said.
Despite the overall improvement and relatively low cases reported in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, crime levels in other districts remain high.
“For the third quarter, the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality recorded the highest number of cases, with 11,415 incidents, accounting for 44.1% of all reported crimes. The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality recorded 6,196 cases, translating to just under 24%, while the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality reported 5,450 cases, accounting for just over 21%,” the MEC revealed.
The top 10 police stations with the highest number of reported crimes during the period were Rustenburg, Brits, Klerksdorp, Ikageng, Potchefstroom, Mahikeng, Mmabatho, Mogwase, Boitekong, and Jouberton.
Morweng welcomed the overall decrease but emphasised the need to intensify crime-fighting initiatives.
He further revealed that, pending approval from the President, the deployment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to combat illegal mining will prioritise areas such as Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein, Bapong, Hartebeesfontein, and Tlhatlaganyane.
