The South African Police Service Eastern Cape, led by MEC for Community Safety, Mr Xolile Nqatha and the Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata officially released the provincial crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year and the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year at the Moses Twebe Hall in Dimbaza on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. The programme commenced with a roadblock along the R63 between Qonce and Dimbaza, aimed at promoting road safety, increasing law-enforcement visibility, and encouraging motorists to comply with traffic laws. MEC Nqatha and Lieutenant General Ncata also visited industrial factories in Dimbaza to engage businesses and workers on safety concerns, including vandalism and robberies.
The event brought together representatives from traditional leadership, NGOs, community structures, business, and law-enforcement agencies, including Amahleke Traditional Leadership, the Dimbaza Business Association, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Department of Correctional Services, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police, and the Department of Education. Officials from the Department of Community Safety, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and South African Police Service were also in attendance.
During the crime statistics presentation, Brigadier Freddie September, the Provincial Head of the Crime Registrar for the Eastern Cape, highlighted key increases and decreases across various crime categories and identified areas requiring targeted interventions. The first quarter of 2026/2027 recorded a significant decline in several serious crime categories, including murder, violent crimes, and sexual assaults. Residential robberies decreased, and improvements were recorded in business robberies. However, Nelson Mandela Bay remained a concern, particularly KwaDwesi and Motherwell, due to persistent levels of murder and attempted murder cases.
Lieutenant General Ncata acknowledged the challenges facing the province but highlighted ongoing efforts to combat crime through Operation Shanela, roadblocks, and targeted police operations. He emphasised the importance of partnerships with traditional leaders and communities, particularly in addressing stock theft. To strengthen policing capacity, Lieutenant General Ncata announced the deployment of 135 new vehicles to police stations across the province, comprising 78 Crime Detection vehicles and 57 Support vehicles. The vehicles will assist stations facing resource constraints and improve police visibility and response capacity. “Behind every crime statistic is a person, a family, and a community affected by crime,” said Lieutenant-General Ncata, highlighting the human impact of crime and the need for continued community involvement.
Stakeholders, including the National Prosecuting Authority, IPID, and the Department of Correctional Services, called for stronger collaboration in addressing crime. The NPA emphasised joint efforts to combat organised crime, stock theft, and GBV-related offences, while IPID stressed professionalism and respect for human rights. The Department of Correctional Services highlighted the need to address overcrowding and strengthen support for parolees and former inmates to reduce reoffending.
MEC Nqatha called for professionalism, ethical conduct, and accountability within the policing environment, particularly in light of the Madlanga Commission and Ad Hoc Committee proceedings. He commended SAPS for successful arrests, including suspects linked to the murders of Zolani Tete and Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor Mr Mleve, as well as the recovery of stolen livestock and property worth millions of rand. The MEC identified Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, and OR Tambo District as areas requiring sustained attention, stating: “We cannot have hotspots forever.” He called for continued cooperation between SAPS, government departments, traditional leaders, and communities to address persistent crime hotspots.
As part of the programme, MEC Nqatha donated 45 pairs of school shoes, bicycles, and sanitary towels to deserving learners. He also urged SAPS and communities to work together to maintain peace and stability ahead of the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026, while encouraging eligible citizens to exercise their democratic right responsibly.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by BCM MMC Councillor Noma-Africa Maxongo, who commended law-enforcement agencies for their efforts and urged stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and crime-fighting strategies. The event reaffirmed the importance of a whole-of-society approach to crime prevention, with SAPS, government, traditional leaders, community structures, businesses, and residents working together to build safer communities across the Eastern Cape.
