Durban — KwaZulu-Natal police reported sharp drops in most violent contact crimes over the October to December 2025 period. The province bucked a national trend in sexual offences, where rape and attempted cases climbed.

National crime figures released Friday showed KZN’s murder tally down 7.5 percent year-on-year. That translates to roughly 5,000 fewer killings compared to the same quarter last year, officials said.

Other categories followed suit. Attempted murders decreased. Assaults with intent to cause grievous bodily harm fell. Common assaults dropped off. Robberies saw similar reductions across the board.

Sexual crimes painted a different picture. Reported rapes rose by 16 to 2,299 cases. Attempted sexual offences also increased during those three months of 2025.

Inanda police station topped the national list for rapes. Plessislaer came in third nationwide, with Umlazi fourth and Ntuzuma tenth. For overall contact crimes, Inanda and Plessislaer ranked second and third across South Africa.

The quarterly stats cover July to September 2025, no, wait—the third quarter spans October to December 2025, aligning with the financial year’s reporting cycle. Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed the numbers in Pretoria on Friday afternoon.

KZN’s progress on murders stands out. The 7.5 percent decline outpaces some provinces. Nationally, murders fell 8.7 percent, but KZN’s raw drop in cases—around 5,000—carries weight given its population of 11.5 million.

Officials credit community policing forums and targeted operations. Inanda, a hotspot near Durban, saw heavy deployments. Plessislaer in Pietermaritzburg faced similar scrutiny after years of high violence.

Still, sexual offences worry experts. The 16 extra rapes signal persistent challenges. National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence KwaZulu-Natal chapter chairperson Gavin Lotz called for better victim support. He pointed to underreporting in rural areas.

Robbery with aggravating circumstances dipped in KZN, though national figures show carjackings up elsewhere. Assault stats reflect fewer bar fights and domestic flare-ups over the holiday stretch.

Provincial police commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi hailed the trends. In a statement, he urged sustained vigilance. ‘We’re turning the tide, but complacency kills,’ Mkhwanazi said.

Comparisons to prior quarters reveal momentum. Second quarter murders in KZN dropped 6.2 percent. This latest 7.5 percent builds on that. Common assault cases fell 12 percent province-wide.

Inanda’s dominance in stats highlights urban pressures. The station serves Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu townships, home to over 800,000 people. Plessislaer covers Edendale and Imbali, violence-prone zones.

Umlazi, South Africa’s largest township, logged the fourth-highest rapes. Its 404,000 residents strain resources. Ntuzuma, nearby, hit tenth with consistent crime burdens.

The stats come amid ALS discussions in KZN health circles—no direct crime link, but alcohol’s role in assaults looms large. Officials note bar closures curbed some incidents over December.

National totals put contact crimes down 5.4 percent overall. KZN contributed heavily, minus the sexual offence spike. Police aim to halve murders by 2030 under the national strategy.

Victim support groups push for more rape crisis centers. Gender-based violence task teams operate in high-risk stations like Inanda. Funding debates rage in Pietermaritzburg.

As first-quarter figures loom in April, KZN eyes further gains. Declines offer hope. But sexual crime upticks demand action.