Mthatha Crime Statistics

Mthatha, OR Tambo (Mthatha), Eastern Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F14/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

3,591

+8% vs 2024

Crime Rate

6,377

per 100k

Safety Score

14/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

75,085

Crime Breakdown — Mthatha (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	696	19.4%
Common assault	contact	599	16.7%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	467	13.0%
Stock Theft	property	376	10.5%
Burglary at residential premises	property	335	9.3%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	299	8.3%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	295	8.2%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	240	6.7%
Rape	contact	216	6.0%
Murder	contact	192	5.3%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	168	4.7%
Drug-Related Crime	detected	144	4.0%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	125	3.5%
Common robbery	contact	87	2.4%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	85	2.4%
Attempted murder	contact	65	1.8%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	61	1.7%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	60	1.7%
Carjacking	contact	57	1.6%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	43	1.2%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	41	1.1%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	36	1.0%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	35	1.0%
Sexual Assault	contact	21	0.6%
Kidnapping	contact	20	0.6%
Arson	contact-related	9	0.3%
Shoplifting	other-serious	5	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	4	0.1%
Public violence	contact-related	3	0.1%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	1	0.0%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	1	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	1	0.0%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	0	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	0	0.0%

Mthatha Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Mthatha Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Mthatha Safe?

No, Mthatha has high crime levels.

Mthatha scores 14/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Mthatha is 6,377 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Mthatha, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+108%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+8%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm

19% of all crime

Rank in OR Tambo (Mthatha)

19/19

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Mthatha

In 2025, Mthatha recorded 3,591 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Mthatha is Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm with 696 reported cases (19.4% of all crime in Mthatha), followed by Common assault at 599 cases (16.7%) and All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 467 cases (13.0%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Mthatha has increased by 8%, indicating a worsening trend for the Mthatha area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Mthatha?

The most reported crimes in Mthatha are Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (696 cases), Common assault (599 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (467 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Mthatha compare to other areas in OR Tambo (Mthatha)?

Mthatha has a crime rate of 6,377 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in OR Tambo (Mthatha), Bityi is safer with a rate of 0 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in OR Tambo (Mthatha)

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Bityi	75,085	0	0	N/A (0)
Majola	75,085	89	158	A (97)
Hlababomvu	75,085	107	190	A (95)
Coffee Bay	75,085	133	236	A (94)
Thina Falls	75,085	168	298	A (91)
Mtontsasa	75,085	207	368	A (89)
Kwaaiman	75,085	237	421	A (88)
Sulenkama	75,085	413	734	B (79)
Ngangelizwe	75,085	757	1,344	B (66)
Port St Johns	75,085	772	1,370	B (65)