Pic:(left) DCSSL MEC, Jackie Macie, delivering the crime statistics alongside Mpumalanga SAPS Acting PC-Major-General(Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi.
By Lwazi Raul- Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Mpumalanga MEC for DCSSL(Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison), Jackie Macie, has vowed to take tough action on violent crimes, and illegal mining, as he released the province’s fourth quarter crime figures for 2025/26 alongside Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General(Dr)Zeph Mkhwanazi,
in Mbombela on Monday 8 June 2026.
PMacie said crime statistics must be regarded as a factual reflection of what transpires within communities, and provide a reliable measure of both challenges and progress.
“The statistics presented today must be viewed as more than numbers. A province with active policing will inevitably detect more crime than a province where criminals operate undisturbed. Increased arrests, increased confiscation of illegal items and increased detection of offences are often indicators of a police service that is working, visible and determined to enforce the law,” said Macie.
The MEC said violent incidents in Bushbuckridge are barbaric and unacceptable. He said DCSSL and SAPS will continue to work closely with SAPS and other law-enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are identified, arrested and successfully prosecuted.
Macie cited illegal mining as a security threat, a as the areas with prevalent illegal mining activities include Pilgrims Rest in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality.
Major-General Mkhwanazi said SAPS is encouraged by the reduction of certain crimes that has been recorded during this reporting period.
He revealed that; on-contact crime decreased by 8.6% (-784 counts), murder decreased by 7.7% (-21 counts), sexual offences have decreased by 12, 4% (-127 counts), Assault GBH has decreased by 5.5% (-165 counts), common robbery has decreased by 2.6% (-11 counts), while robbery with aggravating circumstances has decreased by 19.2% (-346).
“ These statistics provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our performance, identify areas of progress, and acknowledge challenges that require greater attention from all sectors of society. These achievements demonstrate that our collective efforts are beginning to yield positive results,” said Major-General Mkhwanazi.
He furthermore acknowledged the reduction of sexual offences may be attributed, among others, to the various Awareness Campaigns conducted throughout the province, through interviews, community dialogues, school outreach programmes, various media platforms and other awareness initiatives, where SAPS consistently educate communities on Gender-Based-Violence, sexual offences, as well as reporting mechanisms and available support services.
