Swellendam Crime Statistics

Swellendam, Overberg, Western Cape — Latest SAPS Crime Data

F5/100

Very High Risk

Total Crimes

1,686

+22.9% vs 2024

Crime Rate

9,381

per 100k

Safety Score

5/100

Grade F — Very High Risk

Population

23,963

Crime Breakdown — Swellendam (2025)

Crime Category	Group	Cases	% of Total
Drug-Related Crime	detected	547	32.4%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere	other-serious	339	20.1%
Common assault	contact	264	15.7%
Burglary at residential premises	property	177	10.5%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs	detected	175	10.4%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm	contact	139	8.2%
Commercial Crime	other-serious	135	8.0%
Crimen Injuria	contact-related	108	6.4%
Malicious damage to property	contact-related	100	5.9%
Burglary at non-residential premises	property	73	4.3%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle	property	48	2.8%
Rape	contact	27	1.6%
Attempted murder	contact	21	1.2%
Shoplifting	other-serious	20	1.2%
Common robbery	contact	15	0.9%
Murder	contact	12	0.7%
Other aggravated robbery	other-serious	8	0.5%
Stock Theft	property	8	0.5%
Attempted Sexual Offences	contact	7	0.4%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition	detected	5	0.3%
Sexual Assault	contact	5	0.3%
Culpable homicide	other-serious	4	0.2%
Public violence	contact-related	3	0.2%
Robbery at non-residential premises	contact	3	0.2%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle	property	3	0.2%
Arson	contact-related	1	0.1%
Kidnapping	contact	1	0.1%
Neglect and ill-treatment of children	contact	1	0.1%
Abduction	contact	0	0.0%
Bank Robbery	contact	0	0.0%
Carjacking	contact	0	0.0%
Contact Sexual Offences	contact	0	0.0%
Robbery at residential premises	contact	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%

Swellendam Crime Trend (2018-2025)

Swellendam Crime Breakdown (2025)

Is Swellendam Safe?

No, Swellendam has high crime levels.

Swellendam scores 5/100 on our safety index, earning a Grade F (Very High Risk). The crime rate in Swellendam is 9,381 per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Take extra precautions in Swellendam, particularly after dark, and be aware of the predominant crime types in the area.

vs National Average

+206%

Well above average

Year-on-Year

+22.9%

Crime increasing

Top Crime

Drug-Related Crime

32% of all crime

Rank in Overberg

13/15

Among highest risk

Crime breakdown in Swellendam

In 2025, Swellendam recorded 1,686 total crimes. The most prevalent crime in Swellendam is Drug-Related Crime with 547 reported cases (32.4% of all crime in Swellendam), followed by All theft not mentioned elsewhere at 339 cases (20.1%) and Common assault at 264 cases (15.7%).

Compared to 2024, crime in Swellendam has increased by 22.9%, indicating a worsening trend for the Swellendam area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common crimes in Swellendam?

The most reported crimes in Swellendam are Drug-Related Crime (547 cases), All theft not mentioned elsewhere (339 cases), Common assault (264 cases). These figures are based on 2025 SAPS data.

How does Swellendam compare to other areas in Overberg?

Swellendam has a crime rate of 9,381 per 100k. Compared to other precincts in Overberg, Suurbraak is safer with a rate of 1,202 per 100k.

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Other Precincts in Overberg

Precinct	Population	Crimes	Rate	Safety
Suurbraak	23,963	216	1,202	B (68)
Struisbaai	23,963	253	1,406	C (64)
Barrydale	23,963	377	2,099	C (50)
Stanford	23,963	481	2,675	D (42)
Genadendal	23,963	555	3,088	D (36)
Riviersonderend	23,963	563	3,134	D (35)
Napier	23,963	593	3,301	F (33)
Kleinmond	23,963	974	5,421	F (17)
Gans Bay	23,963	1,128	6,276	F (14)
Villiersdorp	23,963	1,302	7,245	F (11)