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Where Reported Crime Concentrates in South Africa

181 of South Africa's 1173 police precincts (15.4%) account for half of all reported crime in 2025/2026 — 382 precincts account for 75%, and 618 for 90%. Source: SAPS quarterly crime statistics.

Raw reported counts — precincts serving more people naturally record more reports. Not a safety ranking. Methodology

How steep is the concentration curve?

Cumulative share of national reported crime vs number of precincts, ranked largest first, 2025/2026.

The national split at a glance

181 precincts = 50% of reported crime next 201 = 25% remaining 791 = 25%

Which crime types concentrate most?

Precincts needed to reach 50% of the national total, per category — fewer means more concentrated.

CategoryPrecincts to reach 50%
Vehicle theft
67
Drug-related crime
91
Aggravated robbery
117
Murder
126
Rape
198
Assault (GBH)
205
Residential burglary
210

The largest contributors nationally

PrecinctReported crimes (2025/2026)Cumulative share
Cape Town Central16,7220.9%
Mitchells Plain14,6581.7%
Delft11,4042.3%
Durban Central9,7382.8%
Mfuleni9,6293.4%
JHB Central9,3493.9%
Kraaifontein8,9564.4%
Park Road8,7264.8%
Tembisa8,4345.3%
Worcester8,0155.7%

Top 10 of the 181 precincts in the national 50% set.

Eastern Cape

36 of 204 precincts account for half of Eastern Cape's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Eastern Cape
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Mthatha4,6722.6%
Mount Road4,3435%
Cambridge4,1867.3%
East London4,0639.5%
Humewood3,76711.6%
Qonce3,57513.6%
Mdantsane3,39615.5%
Kabega Park3,36617.3%
Madeira3,23119.1%
Walmer3,15820.9%

Free State

17 of 113 precincts account for half of Free State's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Free State
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Park Road8,7268%
Thabong4,16611.9%
Welkom4,05615.6%
Bloemspruit3,59218.9%
Kagisanong3,54522.2%
Mangaung3,20525.2%
Boithuso3,06328%
Phuthaditjhaba2,87330.6%
Odendaalsrus2,76233.2%
Botshabelo2,71735.7%

Gauteng

43 of 146 precincts account for half of Gauteng's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Gauteng
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
JHB Central9,3491.9%
Tembisa8,4343.7%
Midrand8,0055.3%
Roodepoort7,6566.9%
Honeydew7,3448.4%
Ivory Park7,0609.9%
Kempton Park6,72211.2%
Sandton6,64512.6%
Sunnyside6,57114%
Temba6,29315.3%

KwaZulu-Natal

28 of 184 precincts account for half of KwaZulu-Natal's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in KwaZulu-Natal
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Durban Central9,7383.2%
Phoenix7,9935.9%
Chatsworth7,8658.5%
Plessislaer7,80411.1%
Inanda7,58713.6%
Empangeni6,58515.8%
Pinetown6,50818%
Kwadukuza6,44720.1%
Ladysmith6,28622.2%
Verulam6,26424.3%

Limpopo

19 of 106 precincts account for half of Limpopo's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Limpopo
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Polokwane6,3115.5%
Mankweng5,95010.7%
Thohoyandou5,79015.8%
Seshego5,58020.7%
Lebowakgomo3,41023.7%
Giyani2,72826.1%
Mahwelereng2,68328.4%
Maake2,61230.7%
Tzaneen2,52232.9%
Westenburg2,40035.1%

Mpumalanga

16 of 90 precincts account for half of Mpumalanga's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Mpumalanga
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Witbank5,2645.7%
Nelspruit4,79410.9%
Middelburg Mpumalang4,71816%
Vosman4,41720.8%
Kwamhlanga3,11424.2%
Ermelo2,66827.1%
Delmas2,58229.9%
Standerton2,48832.6%
Barberton2,43735.2%
Embalenhle2,41437.8%

North West

15 of 86 precincts account for half of North West's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in North West
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Rustenburg6,8055.9%
Brits5,98011%
Klerksdorp4,31014.7%
Letlhabile4,06818.2%
Mmabatho3,93621.6%
Ikageng3,91524.9%
Mahikeng3,85628.3%
Tlhabane3,79131.5%
Boitekong3,76234.8%
Mogwase3,70237.9%

Northern Cape

10 of 92 precincts account for half of Northern Cape's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Northern Cape
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Kimberley5,25110.7%
Galeshewe4,04818.9%
Upington2,92524.8%
Roodepan2,79030.5%
Postmasburg1,91434.3%
Kagisho1,82238%
Rosedale1,72541.5%
Kuruman1,61144.8%
Mothibistad1,52447.9%
Kakamas1,38450.7%

Western Cape

29 of 152 precincts account for half of Western Cape's reported crime in 2025/2026. See it on the map →

Largest contributors in Western Cape
PrecinctReported crimesCumulative share
Cape Town Central16,7224.2%
Mitchells Plain14,6587.8%
Delft11,40410.7%
Mfuleni9,62913.1%
Kraaifontein8,95615.3%
Worcester8,01517.3%
Nyanga7,30019.1%
Kleinvlei7,28020.9%
Atlantis6,71822.6%
Stellenbosch6,65024.3%
Explore concentration on the interactive map →

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