Western Cape SAPS on Thursday reported an 8% decrease in murders across the province during the first three months of 2026, but the release of the latest crime statistics came amid ongoing deadly shootings, gang violence, and extortion-linked killings weeks after Operation Prosper was launched.
Speaking during the release of the province’s fourth quarter crime statistics in Cape Town, Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile said while reductions had been recorded in several violent crime categories, crime levels in the province remained alarmingly high.
“Despite the reduction recorded, crime is still high. Violent crimes are exceptionally high in the Western Cape,” Patekile said.
“Illegal firearms continue to drive murders, attempted murders, robberies, and other violent crimes.”
According to the statistics, the province recorded 983 murders between January and March 2026, down from 1,068 murders during the same period last year, representing a reduction of 85 cases or 8%. Attempted murders decreased by 10.3%, while overall contact crimes dropped by 6.5%.
The release of the figures comes less than two months after Operation Prosper was launched on April 1 and against the backdrop of fresh mass shootings and complaints from communities, who say violence has continued despite increased police visibility.
This week alone, six men were killed in two separate shootings in Khayelitsha.
According to the SAPS, three men aged between 20 and 24 were shot and killed inside an informal dwelling in Khonkxa Street, Makhaza, on Sunday evening, after family members heard gunshots and found the victims with gunshot wounds.
Hours later, another three men in their thirties were shot at a shebeen in Endlovini, Harare, during the early hours of Monday morning. The victims later died at a medical facility.
“The suspects in both incidents fled the scene and have yet to be arrested, while the motives remain under investigation,” the SAPS said.
Police said specialised detectives attached to the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit had been assigned to investigate the shootings and that deployments had been increased in the affected areas.
The recent shootings follow ongoing violence in areas such as Khayamandi, where police said they had identified suspects linked to murders in the area.
“We have established that a group of three people is responsible for the murders. We have identified two of them. We have obtained a warrant for one of them, and we believe they are still in the province,” police said.
Residents in Tafelsig also voiced frustrations during Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s recent oversight visit to Mitchells Plain, claiming crime conditions had remained unchanged despite Operation Prosper.
Provincial Crime Registrar Brigadier Monica Swart said gang violence remained one of the province’s leading contributors to murder.
“We will note that gang violence contributes 22.2% in murders,” Swart said.
The statistics indicated that gang-related violence accounted for 225 murders during the quarter, while arguments, misunderstandings, and fights contributed to 206 murders.
Firearms remained the dominant murder weapon, contributing to 553 murders or 57% of all murder cases recorded in the province.
Patekile said police had seized more than 518 firearms during the quarter, including 66 homemade firearms and 27 semi-automatic shotguns.
“We have had some success in seizing the dangerous weapons of choice,” he said.
The City of Cape Town district accounted for 79.5% of all murders recorded in the province.
Stations recording the highest murder counts included Mfuleni with 53 murders, Delft with 51, Gugulethu with 49, and Khayelitsha with 48.
Police also highlighted extortion-related violence as an ongoing concern.
The provincial report recorded 23 extortion-related murders during the quarter.
One of the incidents highlighted in the report involved the killing of nine people at an illegal shebeen in Philippi East, which police linked to protection racket syndicates targeting taverns in the area.
The statistics further showed that rape cases declined by 82 counts to 1,107 cases during the reporting period. SAPS analysis found that 67% of rapes occurred at the homes of victims or perpetrators. Domestic violence incidents, however, increased by 222 cases compared to the previous year.
Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said while the reductions in violent crime should be acknowledged, murder levels in the province remained unacceptable.
“983 murders in just three months is unacceptable. Gang violence continues to devastate families and remains a primary threat of violence.”Â
Marais also called for stronger intelligence-led policing and greater national support for crime intelligence structures in the province.
Chairperson of the Western Cape CPF Board Francina Lukas cautioned that communities continued to experience the trauma behind the statistics.
“Until the decrease is sustained over a very long period, then the crime stats will remain just numbers to victims of crime,” Lukas said.
lilita,[email protected]
Lilita Gcwabe
iol.co.za
