Gauteng government welcomes decline in crime, but pledges to strengthen efforts to combat crimes like rape [SOUND]

# The Gauteng government has welcomed a decline in several major crime categories, including murder, rape and carjacking in the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year. Contact crimes in the province have gone down by 5.9-percent, while murders and attempted murders are down by 15-percent and 3.2-percent, respectively. Rape decreased by 9.9-percent and sexual violence increased by 5.2-percent. The provincial government spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, says despite the positive trend, efforts to combat crimes that continue to threaten communities will be strengthened: