SafeSuburb

Gugulethu Precinct

City of Cape Town|2 suburbs
3 of 4 quarters (Apr 2025 – Dec 2025) SAPS Data
Crime in Gugulethu decreased 2.1% year-on-year with 3,954 reported serious crimes, and is 5.6% below its pre-COVID level. The most reported crime is Drug-related crime (1307 cases). Drug-related crime saw the biggest increase (+189).
About this data

These are raw crime counts from SAPS — not adjusted for population. Areas with more residents will naturally report more crimes. The most reliable indicator is the trend over time, which compares this area against its own history. Learn more

View 2 suburbs in this precinct

All these suburbs share the same crime statistics because SAPS reports data at precinct level.

GugulethuKanana

Crime volume

Very High

relative to other WC precincts

Reported crimes

3,954

2025-2026 · 9 of 12 months

Year-on-year

↓ 2.1%

fewer crimes vs 2024-2025

(based on 3 of 4 quarters)

vs pre-COVID baseline

↓ 5.6%

below 2018-2019

Compare with other areas →
Crime in Gugulethu decreased 2.1% year-on-year, though crime levels remain very high relative to other precincts.

What's changing?

Biggest year-on-year movements in crime categories

Aggravated robbery dropped significantly (-81) while Drug-related crime increased (+189).

Drug-related crime+189
Aggravated robbery-81
Shoplifting-59
Common assault-51

Crime trend by year

Hollow points with dashed lines indicate years with fewer than 4 quarters of data. These totals may be lower because not all quarters have been released by SAPS.

Crime breakdown

Top reported offences in 2025-2026

Drug-related crime1,307
Aggravated robbery411
Common assault389
Serious assault334
Malicious damage269
Murder164
Shoplifting152
Residential burglary141
View full crime breakdown table
Category2025-20262024-2025Change
Drug-related crime1,3071,118+189
Aggravated robbery411492-81
Common assault389440-51
Serious assault334348-14
Malicious damage269285-16
Murder164158+6
Shoplifting152211-59
Residential burglary141130+11
Rape109101+8
Carjacking106112-6
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition8387-4
Crimen injuria7663+13
Attempted murder7470+4
Common robbery6179-18
Robbery at residential premises6089-29
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs5231+21
Theft from vehicle3355-22
Business burglary3161-30
Vehicle theft2620+6
Kidnapping2523+2
Sexual assault2119+2
Robbery at non-residential premises1115-4
Arson68-2
Culpable homicide610-4
Attempted sexual offences46-2
Neglect and ill-treatment of children220
Public violence10+1
Abduction000
Bank robbery000
Contact sexual offences000
Robbery of cash in transit000
Stock-theft000
Truck hijacking04-4

Compare with nearby areas

Other precincts in City of Cape Town

Sorted by total reported crimes (lowest first)

Table Bay Harbour

182 crimes ↓ 6.9%

Simon's Town

204 crimes ↓ 17.8%

Camps Bay

206 crimes ↓ 10.4%

Melkbosstrand

210 crimes ↓ 5.7%

Philadelphia

220 crimes ↓ 10.4%

Rondebosch

412 crimes ↓ 30.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about crime in Gugulethu

Check another area

Data Sources & Notes

  • Crime data: SAPS quarterly crime statistics
  • Population: City of Cape Town Census 2022 Police Precinct Profiles
  • SAPS data reflects reported crime only. Crime reporting rates vary by area.
  • This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for safety or property decisions. Full disclaimer
  • Per-capita rates use Census 2022 residential population — daytime populations not captured.
  • Full methodology →