In the Eastern Cape, during the most recent recorded three-month period (October to December 2025), police recorded 1,270 murders, 1,871 reported rape cases, and 185 kidnappings.
The province continues to struggle with high violent crime rates, with major urban centers like Nelson Mandela Bay serving as key crime hotspots.
The specific figures for the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year break down as follows:
People Killed (Murder): 1,270 people
People Raped: 1,871 cases reported
People Kidnapped: 185 cases reported
Earlier on today Department of police in Eastern Cape have tracked down the statics regarding the crime rate happening in the province.
Here is the statement released by Police from Eastern Cape:
This process forms part of SAPS’ review of how police human resources are allocated to stations to ensure fairness, transparency, and improved service delivery.
The consultation will cover an identified sample of 100 police stations, with approximately 11 stations per province across South Africa.
The sample includes the top 30 high-crime contributing stations as well as a mix of rural, urban-rural, and urban stations, to ensure broad and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
NB: In the Eastern Cape, during the most recent recorded three-month period (October to December 2025), police recorded 1,270 murders, 1,871 reported rape cases, and 185 kidnappings.
The province continues to struggle with high violent crime rates, with major urban centers like Nelson Mandela Bay serving as key crime hotspots.
While the province saw a slight decrease in overall murders (-2.3%), it recorded a severe ratio of 19.2 murders per 100,000 people.
Eight Eastern Cape police stations rank in the top 30 nationwide for murder, notably New Brighton, Mthatha, Kwazakhele, and KwaNobuhle.
Sexual violence remains a severe crisis, with Mthatha specifically identified as having one of the highest rape caseloads of any police station in the country.
The 185 kidnappings reflect an ongoing issue with organized crime and extortion syndicates, heavily concentrated in the Nelson Mandela Bay (69 cases) and Buffalo City (24 cases) metros.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
