Mthatha: Safety 3 out of 10 (Above average crime). Compared with 1129 places in the same country (10 = lowest crime).

How many murders are there in Mthatha?

Recorded homicides in Mthatha (12 months to June 2026): 151.

3Mthatha

Mthatha, South Africa: crime rate and Safety score

Safety 3 out of 10 Above average crime

3/10 in South Africa · 1/10 in the world

Compared with 1129 places in the same country (10 = lowest crime).

Weighted crime: 22,293 per 100,000 people (12 months to June 2026)

Residents: about 182,715, a WorldPop 2025 modelled estimate summed within the police precinct, not a census count.

Type	Count	Per 100,000 a year	All places this source covers
Homicide
Murder	151	82.6	34.6
Sexual offences
Rape	221	121	61.8
Sexual assault	17	9.3	11.6
Attempted sexual offences	4	2.2	4
Other contact sexual offences	1	0.5	1.2
Violence
Attempted murder	68	37.2	44.5
Assault with intent to cause serious harm	638	349.2	265.1
Common assault	659	360.7	291.2
Kidnapping	26	14.2	28.7
Abduction of a minor	0	0	0.2
Robbery
Armed or aggravated robbery	290	158.7	178.3
Includes carjacking, house and business robbery and cash-in-transit heists.
Common robbery	73	40	67.4
Theft and burglary
Home burglary	341	186.6	193.2
Burglary of other premises	88	48.2	66.4
Livestock theft	302	165.3	33.5
Shoplifting	6	3.3	59.8
Vehicle theft	48	26.3	45.2
Theft from vehicles	113	61.8	112.4
Other theft	530	290.1	354.3
Drugs
Drug offences	158	86.5	357.5
Found through police action, so it rises with policing.
Damage and public order
Public violence	4	2.2	1.6
Arson	7	3.8	4.1
Malicious damage to property	282	154.3	160.3
Other
Culpable homicide	45	24.6	15.2
Unlawful killing without intent, mostly on the roads.
Driving under the influence	110	60.2	133.3
Found through police action, so it rises with policing.
Illegal firearms and ammunition	61	33.4	24.2
Sexual offences found by police action	0	0	20.3
Mainly sex work offences, not attacks on a person.
Child neglect and ill-treatment	4	2.2	3.6
Crimen injuria (serious insult)	48	26.3	40.7
Fraud and commercial crime	226	123.7	228.2

Source: SAPS, updated 29 October 2026.

Is Mthatha safe?: Mthatha: Safety 3 out of 10 (Above average crime). Compared with 1129 places in the same country (10 = lowest crime).
What is the crime rate in Mthatha?: Mthatha: Weighted crime: 22,293 per 100,000 people (12 months to June 2026).
How many murders are there in Mthatha?: Recorded homicides in Mthatha (12 months to June 2026): 151.