Police Minister Senzo Mchunu pointed out on Monday that serious community-reported crimes showed an overall decline of 5.1%, calling on South Africans to guard against "established criminals", who he said turn criminality into a norm and are intent on making it a way of life.

Mchunu was speaking during the release of the second-quarter crime statistics, where he said despite the gains, the persistence of high crime rates underscored the urgency of doubling the South African Police Service's (SAPS's) efforts in law enforcement, prevention, and community involvement.

He said the SAPS are battling organised crime and grappling with economic crimes that threaten the country's economy and South Africans' livelihoods. The crimes include extortion, and criminality on critical infrastructure.

"Specifically, contact crime decreased by 3.0%, property-related crime saw a reduction of 9.9%, and other serious crime decreased by 3.4%. Focusing on contact crime, the statistics indicate that murder decreased by 5,8%, sexual offenses by 2.5%, and robbery with aggravating circumstances by 8,8%," he explained for the period between July 1 to September 30.

Mchunu highlighted that rape decreased by 3.1%, while robbery at residential premises and non-residential premises decreased by 1.3% and 21.1%, respectively.

He added that among the seventeen community-reported crime categories monitored, the only increases were observed in attempted murder, assault grievous bodily harm and commercial crime, which he said rose by 2.2%, 1.0% and 18.5% respectively.

STRENGTHENING CRIME INTELLIGENCE

He pointed out that since the inception of the seventh Administration, the divisions which the SAPS have sought to strengthen is crime intelligence, technology and forensics.

He said in July, the SAPS arrested 95 Libyan nationals in Mpumalanga for immigration violations and suspected unlawful military training.

He said crime intelligence also achieved notable successes through multi-dimensional investigations in Gauteng.

He highlighted that in Limpopo, Groblersdal, a clandestine drug lab was discovered, with crystal meth estimated at R2-billion recovered.

Four suspects, including the farm owner and two Mexican nationals were arrested.

He pointed out that the Free State is largely affected by crimes flowing from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng, including stock theft and other crimes.

"In the Northern Cape, the SAPS has been making significant arrests during the various operations, including the recent arrest of four suspects in possession of illegal diamonds," he explained.

"The SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal is making significant progress in dealing with criminal armed gangs and various murder hotspots and we commend them", Mchunu said.

He also pointed to the Lusikisiki and Qumbu shootings, which took place in late September and early October respectively, and said all the perpetrators responsible for the tragic mass shootings have been arrested, and their cases are now in court.

He explained that mass murders, which he said characterised by family-coordinated targeting, highlighted a grave and unprecedented challenge in combating localised criminal networks.

"These tragic incidents underscore the urgent need to address deeply rooted familial conflicts and improve community engagement to prevent such violence. Additionally, the coordination of criminal activities from within prison facilities remains a significant concern," he said.

Muchunu noted that this practice undermined public safety and highlighted the need for stricter oversight and enhanced security measures within correctional institutions.

He said the SAPS has officially entered into cooperation agreements with all the metropolitan municipalities throughout the country.