Question 1

Is Pietermaritzburg CBD safe to live in?

Accepted Answer

The Pietermaritzburg precinct (covering Pietermaritzburg CBD) recorded 5,447 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026 — up 4.4% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025. 33 murders were reported. It sits in the "Very High" crime-volume tier for KwaZulu-Natal precincts. Nationally, it sits in the "Very High" crime-volume tier across all 1,175 SA precincts. SafeSuburb presents SAPS figures as published — we do not rate suburbs safe or unsafe. SAPS reports crime at precinct level, not per suburb, so all suburbs in this precinct share the same data.

Question 2

What is the crime rate in Pietermaritzburg CBD?

Accepted Answer

The Pietermaritzburg precinct (covering Pietermaritzburg CBD) reported 5,447 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, including 1445 violent crimes and 552 property crimes. 33 murders were reported. Crime is up 4.4% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025.

Question 3

Has crime in Pietermaritzburg CBD increased or decreased?

Accepted Answer

Crime in the Pietermaritzburg precinct (covering Pietermaritzburg CBD) has increased 4.4% vs Apr 2024–Mar 2025. The precinct reported 5,447 crimes in Apr 2025–Mar 2026, compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

Question 4

What is the most common crime in Pietermaritzburg CBD?

Accepted Answer

The most frequently reported crime in Pietermaritzburg CBD (Pietermaritzburg precinct) is Drug-related crime, with 1159 cases reported in Apr 2025–Mar 2026. This is followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere (884 cases).

Question 5

What police station covers Pietermaritzburg CBD?

Accepted Answer

Pietermaritzburg CBD is covered by the Pietermaritzburg police station (SAPS). Other suburbs in this precinct include Berg Street, Boom, Central, Commercial Road, Longmarket.

Question 6

Where is Pietermaritzburg CBD located?

Accepted Answer

Pietermaritzburg CBD is a suburb in Umgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal. It is served by the Pietermaritzburg SAPS police station.

Question 7

Which suburbs share crime data with Pietermaritzburg CBD?

Accepted Answer

Pietermaritzburg CBD falls within the Pietermaritzburg police precinct, which also covers: Berg Street, Boom, Central, Commercial Road, Longmarket, Msunduzi, Retief. SAPS reports crime at precinct level, so all these suburbs share the same crime statistics as Pietermaritzburg CBD.

Crime category	Reported count
Drug-related crime	1,159
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	884
Common assault	408
Commercial crime	353
Aggravated robbery	327
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	307
Shoplifting	303
Common robbery	279

Pietermaritzburg CBD Crime Statistics

Crime by type

What's changing?

Crime trend by year

Crime breakdown

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Data Sources & Notes

Economic Context