Zwelitsha Crime Statistics

Zwelitsha, East London, Eastern Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F26/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

1,218

-8.3% vs 2024

Crime Rate

3,996

per 100k

Safety Score

26/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

40,636

Crime Breakdown — Zwelitsha (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	401	32.9%
Burglary at residential premises	property	200	16.4%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	188	15.4%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	145	11.9%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	132	10.8%
Common assault	contact	72	5.9%
Rape	contact	63	5.2%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	49	4.0%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	47	3.9%
Stock Theft	property	41	3.4%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	40	3.3%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	39	3.2%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	32	2.6%
Common robbery	contact	28	2.3%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	28	2.3%
Murder	contact	20	1.6%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	15	1.2%
Attempted murder	contact	13	1.1%
Shoplifting	other-serious	11	0.9%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	9	0.7%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	9	0.7%
Carjacking	contact	8	0.7%
Kidnapping	contact	8	0.7%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	8	0.7%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	5	0.4%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	4	0.3%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	4	0.3%
Arson	contact-related	1	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	1	0.1%
Sexual Assault	contact	1	0.1%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	0	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Zwelitsha Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Zwelitsha Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Zwelitsha Safe?

No, Zwelitsha has high crime levels.

Zwelitsha scores 26/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Zwelitsha is 3,996 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Zwelitsha, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+30%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

-8.3%

Crime decreasing

Top Crime

Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm

33% of all crime

Rank in East London

17/22

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Zwelitsha

In 2025, Zwelitsha recorded 1,218 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Zwelitsha is Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm with 401 reported cases (32.9% of all crime in Zwelitsha), followed by Burglary at residential premises at 200 cases (16.4%) and Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at 188 cases (15.4%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Zwelitsha has decreased by 8.3%, a positive sign for the Zwelitsha community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Zwelitsha?

The most reported crimes in Zwelitsha are Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (401 cases), Burglary at residential premises (200 cases), Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (188 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Zwelitsha compare to other areas in East London?

Zwelitsha has a crime rate of 3,996 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in East London, Berlin is safer with a rate of 0 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in East London

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Berlin	40,636	0	0	N/A (0)
King William's Town	40,636	0	0	N/A (0)
Macleantown	40,636	180	591	A (83)
Chalumna	40,636	184	603	A (83)
Ntabozuko	40,636	227	746	B (79)
Tamara	40,636	287	943	B (74)
Punzana	40,636	291	955	B (74)
Kidds Beach	40,636	296	972	B (73)
Ndevana	40,636	573	1,880	C (54)
Zele	40,636	586	1,922	C (53)