The recently released quarterly crime statistics reveal that Mitchell’s Plain police station remains a top-ranking hotspot both nationally and provincially, leading in drug-related crimes, illegal firearms possession, and police-detected offences, with attempted murder now emerging as a major concern.
The station also ranks highly across multiple other categories, featuring prominently on the top 30 provincial and national police station lists ("’Plain tops crime lists in country and province" Plainsman September 4).
Mitchell’s Plain tops the province for attempted murder and is fourth nationally, with cases rising from 39 to 60.
The station has dropped from first to seventh in the province and 10th nationally for murder, increasing from 34 to 49 cases between July last year and September this year. The station is third in the province for 17 community-reported serious crimes, which fell from 1 876 to 1 654 cases.
It ranks second provincially for “all theft not mentioned elsewhere,” decreasing from 377 to 318 cases.
Common assault cases dropped from 378 to 346, common robbery from 73 to 62, and contact crimes dropped from 829 to 763 cases. Contact-related crimes declined by 47 cases, from 248, and crimen injuria dropped from 274 to 180. Malicious damage to property placed third nationally and provincially, decreasing from 242 to 199 cases.
Mitchell’s Plain is fourth in the province for “other serious crimes,” down from 545 to 504 cases. It leads provincially for public violence, recording four cases. Sexual assault cases decreased from 13 to 9, while shoplifting rose from 44 to 90 cases.
Illegal possession of firearms increased from 43 to 76, drug-related crimes from 1 347 to 1 664, and crimes detected via police action from 1 432 to 1 754, keeping the station first in the province and the country.
Lentegeur police station also featured on the top lists. Crimen injuria rose from 38 to 55 cases, illegal possession of firearms increased from 7 to 23, placing 13th in the province, drug-related crimes from 643 to 689, and crimes detected by police from 678 to 738, placing fifth in both provincial and national rankings.
Strandfontein police station did not appear in any top 30 lists.
Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia said the latest crime statistics for April to September show progress in reducing violent crime, but sexual offences and gender-based violence remain critically high. He warned that organised crime and corruption “bleed our country dry,” calling for collaboration between police, prosecutors, revenue services, and the private sector.
He urged communities to support police through forums, block watches, and youth programmes, saying: “We can build safer communities. Let us stand together, hold leaders accountable, and keep faith in a safer, more just South Africa.”
Michael Jacobs, chairperson of the Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum (CPF), said marginal improvements are no cause for celebration.
“The country continues to face high crime, systemic policing failures, understaffing in gang-affected areas, rising extortion, and low trust,” he said.
Despite a national drop in murders, 5 794 were recorded, and 12 787 sexual offences reported, particularly during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
He said CPF efforts, including joint patrols, neighbourhood watches, and victim support programmes, are hampered by staff shortages and a lack of vehicles.
Dr Llewellyn MacMaster, chairperson of Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (4C's), said the statistics are deeply concerning, particularly for the Cape Flats.
“People on the ground do not feel safer. Guns circulate freely, daily killings continue, and Cape Town records the highest gun-related murders in the country. Any improvements are too small to celebrate,” he said.
Dr MacMaster praised neighbourhood watches and CPF volunteers, noting the coalition will continue pushing for meaningful, visible change alongside police and communities.
Provincial MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight, Anroux Marais, said serious violent crime remains high, with firearms driving most murders. Mitchell's Plain is a priority, with enhanced policing by LEAP, Metro Police, SAPS, and the Anti-Gang Unit, she said.
A new pilot targets youth, families, and community partnerships, but meaningful progress in 2026 requires sustained national support, she said.