Household crime levels in South Africa
In 2025/26, over 1,5 million incidences of housebreaking occurred,
affecting 1,08 million households in South Africa. The number of affected
households represents 5,3% of all households in the country. About 48% (48,2%)
of households that experienced housebreaking reported some or all incidences to
the police.
A total of 179 000 households experienced home robberies in 2025/26. The
number of affected households represents 0,9% of all households in the country.
About 52% (51,6%) of households that experienced home robbery reported some or
all incidences to the police.
Individual
crime levels in South Africa
Theft of personal
property is the most common crime experienced by individuals aged 16 years and
older in South Africa. An estimated 1,4 million incidences of theft of personal
property occurred in 2025/26, affecting 1,2 million individuals aged 16 years
and older. The number of affected individuals represents 2,6% of those 16 years
and older. About 37% (37,3%) of individuals who experienced theft of personal
property reported some or all incidences to the police. The second most
experienced crime by individuals was street robbery. A total of 459 000
individuals experienced street robbery, with an estimated 515 000 incidences. Less
than 50% (41,7%) of the individuals reported some or all incidences to the
police.
In 2025/26, 264 000
individuals experienced psychological violence, which was less than 1% (0,6%)
of all individuals aged 16 years and older in the country. Only 11,7% of the
individuals indicated they experienced psychological violence daily, while the
majority (55,9%) indicated they experienced it once in a while. More females
(43,0%) than males (41,1%) reported that the incidences of psychological
violence occurred in a private home/dwelling. About 31% (30,7%) of individuals
who experienced psychological violence reported some or all incidences to the
police.
Feelings
of safety
About 81%
(80,7%) of those aged 16 years and older felt safe walking alone in their
neighbourhood during the day, while 37,9% felt safe walking alone in their
neighbourhood when it is dark. The proportion of individuals who have done
something to protect themselves against crime increased from 43,3% in 2024/25
to 46,6% in 2025/26. Only 32% (31,5%) of the population indicated that they
only walk during safer hours as the main thing they have done to protect
themselves against crime. Of those who have done something to protect
themselves, 78,3% felt safer after taking measures.
General
individual perceptions
There is a general acceptance (97,9%)
that fathers should play a role in raising children in 2025/26. Both females
(81,3%) and males (80,5%) think that the spouse or intimate partners commit the
most acts of gender-based violence. A higher proportion (84,9%) of individuals aged 16 years and older think that addictions/ substance abuse/ alcohol
abuse is the top reason that causes violence against women and children.