Swellendam Crime Statistics
See how Swellendam compares to other Western Cape precincts vs Apr–Dec 2024 →
About this data
These are raw crime counts from SAPS — not adjusted for population. Areas with more residents will naturally report more crimes. The most reliable indicator is the trend over time, which compares this area against its own history. Learn more
Crime volume
Moderate
in Western Cape · High nationally
Reported crimes
1,333
2025-2026 · 9 of 12 months
vs Apr–Dec 2024
↑ 21.3%
more crimes vs Apr–Dec 2024
(based on 3 of 4 quarters)
vs pre-COVID baseline
↑ 35.8%
above 2018-2019
What's changing?
Biggest changes vs Apr–Dec 2024
Business burglary dropped significantly (-16) while Drug-related crime increased (+148).
Crime trend by year
Hollow points with dashed lines indicate years with fewer than 4 quarters of data. These totals may be lower because not all quarters have been released by SAPS.
Crime breakdown
Top reported offences in 2025-2026
| Crime category | Reported count |
|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 410 |
| Common assault | 198 |
| Residential burglary | 133 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 131 |
| Serious assault | 104 |
| Crimen injuria | 81 |
| Malicious damage | 75 |
| Business burglary | 55 |
View full crime breakdown table
| Category | 2025-2026 | 2024-2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug-related crime | 410 | 262 | +148 |
| Common assault | 198 | 154 | +44 |
| Residential burglary | 133 | 96 | +37 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs | 131 | 133 | -2 |
| Serious assault | 104 | 84 | +20 |
| Crimen injuria | 81 | 45 | +36 |
| Malicious damage | 75 | 67 | +8 |
| Business burglary | 55 | 71 | -16 |
| Theft from vehicle | 36 | 41 | -5 |
| Rape | 20 | 18 | +2 |
| Attempted murder | 16 | 17 | -1 |
| Shoplifting | 15 | 29 | -14 |
| Common robbery | 11 | 14 | -3 |
| Murder | 9 | 8 | +1 |
| Aggravated robbery | 8 | 18 | -10 |
| Stock-theft | 6 | 7 | -1 |
| Attempted sexual offences | 5 | 4 | +1 |
| Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| Sexual assault | 4 | 5 | -1 |
| Culpable homicide | 3 | 5 | -2 |
| Public violence | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Robbery at non-residential premises | 2 | 10 | -8 |
| Vehicle theft | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| Kidnapping | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Neglect and ill-treatment of children | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Abduction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bank robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carjacking | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Contact sexual offences | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery at residential premises | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| Robbery of cash in transit | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Truck hijacking | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Compare with nearby areas
Other precincts in Overberg
Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about crime in Swellendam
Check another area
Data Sources & Notes
- Crime data: SAPS quarterly crime statistics
- SAPS data reflects reported crime only. Crime reporting rates vary by area.
- This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for safety or property decisions. Full disclaimer
- Full methodology →