# Crime trends and violent incidents in Southern Africa > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/crime-trends-and-violent-incidents-in-southern-africa > Updated: 2026-09-18T15:04:28.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. In late August 2026, South African officials reported a decline in several major crime categories during the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year. Statistics indicated that murder cases fell by 5.9%, while contact crimes decreased by 2.3%. Specific reductions were noted in carjackings (18.2%), truck hijackings (21%), and trio crimes (16.4%). Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia attributed these trends to intelligence-led policing, though he warned that violence against women and children remains a major issue. By mid-September 2026, authorities in South Africa and Zimbabwe were investigating specific violent incidents involving the deaths of women. In South Africa, a woman was killed following an alleged kidnapping and torture in Samora Machel, leading to the arrest of a suspect. In Zimbabwe, police investigated two domestic murder cases: one involving the alleged strangulation of a wife in Hatfield, and another involving the death of a pregnant woman in Shamva. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: Police investigate multiple murders in South Africa and Zimbabwe Police in South Africa and Zimbabwe are investigating multiple violent crimes, including the murder of a woman in Samora Machel following an alleged kidnapping and two domestic killings in Zimbabwe. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-investigate-multiple-murders-in-south-africa-and-zimbabwe ### 2026-08-28: South Africa reports decline in murder and contact crimes South Africa reports a decline in murders, carjackings, and trio crimes for the first quarter of 2026/2027, though officials warn that violence against women and organized crime remain major concerns. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-reports-decline-in-murder-and-contact-crimes --- Cite as: Crime trends and violent incidents in Southern Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/crime-trends-and-violent-incidents-in-southern-africa