*Port Elizabeth was renamed Gqeberha in 2021 to represent its Khoi-San and Xhosa heritage.
The source explains that the crime index is a measure of the level of crime in a certain city or country. Crime levels lower than 20 are considered to be very low, crime levels between 20 and 40 are low, crime levels between 40 and 60 are moderate, crime levels between 60 and 80 are high, and crime levels higher than 80 are very high.
The source indicated no publication date. Therefore, the release date is the date of access.
As of 2026, Pietermaritzburg in South Africa ranked first in the crime index among African cities, scoring **** index points. The six most dangerous areas on the continent were South African cities. Furthermore, Pretoria and Johannesburg followed, with a score of ****Ìý²¹²Ô»å **** points, respectively.Â
The index estimates the overall level of crime in a specific territory. According to the score, crime levels are classified as very high (over 80), high (60-80), moderate (40-60), low (20-40), and very low (below 20).
Contact crimes are common in South Africa
Contact crimes in South Africa include violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and sexual offenses, as well as common assault and robbery. In fiscal year 2022/2023, the suburb of Johannesburg Central in the Gauteng province of South Africa had the highest number of contact crime incidents. Common assault was the main contributing type of offense to the overall number of contact crimes.
Household robberies peak in certain months
In South Africa, June, July, and December experienced the highest number of household robberies in 2023. June and July are the months that provide the most hours of darkness, thus allowing criminals more time to break in and enter homes without being detected easily. In December, most South Africans decide to go away on holiday, leaving their homes at risk for a potential break-in. On the other hand, only around ** percent of households affected by robbery reported it to the police in the fiscal year 2022/2023.
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Numbeo. (March 6, 2026). Cities with the highest crime index in South Africa in 2026 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 01, 2026, from /statistics/1399565/cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-in-south-africa/
Numbeo. "Cities with the highest crime index in South Africa in 2026." Chart. March 6, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 01, 2026. /statistics/1399565/cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-in-south-africa/
Numbeo. (2026). Cities with the highest crime index in South Africa in 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 01, 2026. /statistics/1399565/cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-in-south-africa/
Numbeo. "Cities with The Highest Crime Index in South Africa in 2026." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 6 Mar 2026, /statistics/1399565/cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-in-south-africa/
Numbeo, Cities with the highest crime index in South Africa in 2026 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1399565/cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-in-south-africa/ (last visited August 01, 2026)
Cities with the highest crime index in South Africa in 2026 [Graph], Numbeo, March 6, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1399565/cities-with-the-highest-crime-index-in-south-africa/
