Pietermaritzburg Crime Statistics

Pietermaritzburg, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F3/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

4,096

+6.1% vs 2024

Crime Rate

11,048

per 100k

Safety Score

3/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

49,429

Crime Breakdown — Pietermaritzburg (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Drug-Related Crime	detected	1,105	27.0%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	864	21.1%
Common assault	contact	428	10.4%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	387	9.4%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	335	8.2%
Shoplifting	other-serious	297	7.3%
Common robbery	contact	281	6.9%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	264	6.4%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	255	6.2%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	255	6.2%
Sexual offences detected as a result of police action	detected	223	5.4%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	172	4.2%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	113	2.8%
Rape	contact	72	1.8%
Burglary at residential premises	property	67	1.6%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	59	1.4%
Attempted murder	contact	45	1.1%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	45	1.1%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	44	1.1%
Murder	contact	32	0.8%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	28	0.7%
Sexual Assault	contact	24	0.6%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	21	0.5%
Kidnapping	contact	21	0.5%
Carjacking	contact	8	0.2%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	5	0.1%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	3	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	3	0.1%
Abduction	contact	1	0.0%
Public violence	contact-related	1	0.0%
Robbery of cash in transit	contact	1	0.0%
Truck hijacking	contact	1	0.0%
Arson	contact-related	0	0.0%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Stock Theft	property	0	0.0%

Pietermaritzburg Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Pietermaritzburg Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Pietermaritzburg Safe?

No, Pietermaritzburg has high crime levels.

Pietermaritzburg scores 3/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Pietermaritzburg is 11,048 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Pietermaritzburg, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+260%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+6.1%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Drug-Related Crime

27% of all crime

Rank in Pietermaritzburg

23/25

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Pietermaritzburg

In 2025, Pietermaritzburg recorded 4,096 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Pietermaritzburg is Drug-Related Crime with 1,105 reported cases (27.0% of all crime in Pietermaritzburg), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 864 cases (21.1%) and Common assault at 428 cases (10.4%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Pietermaritzburg has increased by 6.1%, indicating a worsening trend for the Pietermaritzburg area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Pietermaritzburg?

The most reported crimes in Pietermaritzburg are Drug-Related Crime (1,105 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (864 cases), Common assault (428 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Pietermaritzburg compare to other areas in Pietermaritzburg?

Pietermaritzburg has a crime rate of 11,048 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Pietermaritzburg, Rietvlei is safer with a rate of 132 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Pietermaritzburg

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Rietvlei	49,429	49	132	A (97)
Boston	49,429	102	275	A (92)
Cramond	49,429	127	342	A (90)
Mid Illovo	49,429	151	407	A (88)
Harburg	49,429	156	421	A (88)
Dalton	49,429	170	459	A (87)
Bishopstowe	49,429	198	534	A (84)
Nottingham Road	49,429	206	556	A (84)
Wartburg	49,429	267	720	A (80)
New Hanover	49,429	342	923	B (75)