Crime Drops, But Rustenburg Still in the Red

Rustenburg – While North West Province has seen an encouraging 7.6% decrease in overall community-reported crimes for the first quarter of 2025, Rustenburg remains a key concern as one of the most affected areas, particularly in property-related crimes and robberies.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Rustenburg ranks second nationally for robbery at non-residential premises and seventh for property-related crimes.

From January to March 2025, the province reported 1,972 fewer crimes compared to the same period last year. Significant drops were noted in serious categories: murder down by 12.6%, rape by 4.8%, robbery with aggravating circumstances by 10.6%, and shoplifting by a dramatic 25.1%.

However, Rustenburg and its surrounding areas like Mooinooi, Boitekong, and Hartbeespoort Dam continue to report worrying figures. Carjackings in Bojanala district, where Rustenburg is located, rose by 1.2%, and residential robberies increased by 3.5%. Domestic violence remains a major crime driver in the area, contributing to incidents ranging from malicious property damage to murder and rape.

In terms of district contribution to provincial crime, Bojanala accounts for 44% of all reported cases — by far the highest, followed by Dr Kenneth Kaunda at 24.9%, Ngaka Modiri Molema at 20.4%, and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at 10.7%.

Despite these concerns, SAPS operations have been fruitful. Crimes prevented through police intervention rose by 17.1%, with 587 incidents stopped before escalating — including nearly half of potential sexual offences. Stock theft, another persistent issue, dropped by 13.5% province-wide. Yet, in Taung, cases increased by 22.2%, making it the seventh most problematic area for stock theft in South Africa. SAPS has ramped up cross-border collaboration with Botswana to curb this, as stolen livestock is often trafficked out of the province.

Illegal mining also remains a concern. During the quarter, 242 cases were opened in connection with illegal mining and immigration violations. A total of 1,831 suspects were arrested, with 1,431 convicted. Rehabilitation of dangerous mine shafts in Kanana and other areas has begun to curb related violence.

For now, Rustenburg residents are urged to remain vigilant, report crimes, and support community policing initiatives to help bring these numbers down even further.