Crime statistics reveal alarming trends in Chatsworth, Phoenix, and Verulam

THE recent crime statistics reveal a troubling rise in serious offences in Chatsworth, Phoenix and Verulam, prompting community leaders and security experts to call for urgent action to address the escalating violence.

The SAPS recently released its fourth quarter crime statistics for the2024/2025 financial year (January 2025 to March 2025).

According to the statistics, over the three-month period, there were 5 727 murders in the country – with 1 193 occurring in KwaZulu-Natal.

The province reported 1 670 attempted murders, 7 535 assaults (GBH), 7 661 assaults (common), 5 629 robberies with aggravating circumstances, 1 892 common robberies, 583 carjackings, and 2 614 sexual offences cases.

In addition, there were 1 328 residential and 559 at non-residential robberies reported.

Among the top 30 police stations which had the highest number of community-reported serious crimes reported in KZN was Chatsworth, Phoenix and Verulam.

Phoenix had the third highest number of serious crimes reported in the country and second provincially with1 976 cases.

Chatsworth, which was fifth in the country and third in the province, had 1 827 cases. Verulam was 13th in the country and 9th in the province with 1 295 cases.

In respect of contact crimes (murder/attempted murder/sexual offences/all types of assault), Chatsworth was fourth in the province with 732 cases, followed by Phoenix with 724 cases. In addition, Verulam placed seventh in KZN for murder, with 29 cases.

For attempted murder, Verulam was third in KZN with 57 cases, while Chatsworth was 9th with 36 cases. Chatsworth was first in the province for most reported sexual assault cases.

There were 15 cases reported.

In respect of common assault, Phoenix was first in the province with 360 cases, followed by Chatsworth with 351 cases. During this period, there were also 188 robberies with aggravating circumstances reported in Verulam, and 178 reported in Phoenix. Verulam took fifth position in KZN for robberies at residential premises (48).

Chatsworth was first in the province with 18 robberies at non-residential premises, while Phoenix was third with16 cases.

Reaction

Rachel Wilkin, chairperson of the Verulam Community Police Forum (CPF), said crime, especially aggravated robberies, was a concern.

“Crime has become a get-rich-quick scheme. Criminals do not want to work and earn money,” she said.

Wilkin said residents were unsafe and feared running errands or going to the mall.

“It has become a situation where residents are not safe anywhere. What were once safe hubs, such as undercover parking areas, shopping centres and restaurants, have now become hot spots.

“We are working with interfaith leaders, sporting bodies, social organisations and government departments to see how we can fix the moral compass, which is leading to various social ills and crime,” she said.

The Chatsworth and Phoenix CPF did not comment.

Security companies

Prem Balram, the head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said the crime statistics was not a true reflection of crime in Verulam.

He said the statistics were derived from reported crimes, and he had dealt with hundreds of crimes in Verulam since January, where victims had refused to open cases.

“Complainants refuse to open cases for various reasons. Therefore, the statistics are not a true reflection of what is happening in Verulam. I have done the statistics for the crimes we have dealt with for the last 18 weeks.

“From January 1, 2025, to May 15,2025 – in Verulam only – we attended to over 602 crimes of interest including kidnappings, robberies, stabbing, theft of motor vehicles, and assault and other serious crimes.

“For these 602 crimes, I can provide location, time, date and complainant details and images, to confirm these cases,” he added.

Balram said police strategies were working, but due to corruption and criminals infiltrating the law enforcement organisations, it was difficult to curb crime.

“Some police officers are giving off their best, but a major problem is that joint operations are not very successful, and in some cases because criminals are within law enforcement.

“Drug dealing is a major contributor to crime in Verulam. Drug users are robbing shoppers in the Verulam CBD. We respond to about five crimes per day. People are robbed for their cellphones, bags are snatched, they are stabbed and attacked for the next fix,” he said.

He said while the partnership between police and security companies was effective, it was working at half its potential.

“We need the partnership to work fully to bring crime under control. Police must take a more aggressive approach towards suspects, and citizens must play their part by reporting crime, not purchasing stolen goods, and not harbouring criminals,” Balram added.

Gareth Naidoo, spokesperson for KZN VIP Protection Services, said there was currently a high incidence of petty theft, house break-ins and armed robberies in Phoenix.

“These crimes are largely driven by the proliferation of drug dens and unregulated scrapyards, which not only promote criminal activity but also provide a market for stolen property. A significant number of thefts and break-ins are committed by known drug users operating in the community.”

He said serious crimes such as home invasions and hijackings were relatively low.

“This is due to the sustained high visibility presence of our patrol teams, working in close collaboration with the CPF and SAPS. Together, we regularly conduct roadblocks, joint operations and ongoing crime prevention initiatives to curb major criminal activity,” he said.

Naidoo said one of the concerns was the lack of consequences for criminal behaviour.

“The perception that offenders can act with impunity undermines efforts to restore safety and order. We urge all stakeholders, including law enforcement, the justice system and community members to work together in addressing these systemic issues.”

Dhevan Govindasamy, spokesperson and manager for PT Alarms Tactical Unit, said prevalent crimes in Chatsworth included house break-ins, hijackings, and general theft.

“We receive between four to seven calls a day related to these types of crimes. The driving force behind these crimes can be attributed to unemployment, poverty, and the abuse of drugs and alcohol. The scourge of drugs and alcohol leads to many criminal incidents.”

Govindasamy said they had undertaken to work closely with law enforcement units, CPFs and neighbourhood crime patrol groups to clamp down on crime in the areas.

“We have stepped up patrols and increased manpower to ensure the safety of our clients and the community. However, I do believe police visibility needs to be stepped up, and the quota of police officers deployed to the various high risk areas needs to increase.

“So many police officers are resigning and then there’s the issue of criminality within the police ranks. Hence, we need to build a bigger and stronger police force so that there are more boots on the ground. In addition, when assisted by security personnel, greater territory is covered, and we have a powerful team to crack the whip on criminals,” he said.

Political parties

Visvin Reddy, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member of Parliament, said it was a “national disgrace” that Chatsworth, Phoenix, and Verulam – communities built by working-class families– had now become blood-soaked crime scenes.

“These are not just statistics. They are the direct result of a failed state, a collapsing police service, and a government that has lost control. Every day, our people are robbed, raped, shot and murdered while the ruling elite enjoys VIP protection and lavish security at taxpayers’ expense.”

Reddy said the surge in crime was being driven by poverty, mass unemployment, rampant drug abuse, gangsterism and political neglect.

“Drug syndicates operate with impunity, often with the silent approval of corrupt cops. Young people have no jobs, no hope and no support. The government offers platitudes instead of plans. The police are overwhelmed, under-trained and under-equipped. It’s a breakdown of law and order on every level.

“We need to stop playing games with people’s lives. Bring back the army to patrol hot spots. Reintroduce specialised units like the narcotics bureau and gang task teams. Equip and retrain SAPS. Root out corruption in the force – starting from the top. But more than that, we need to mobilise communities. Policing alone is not enough. Community organisations, youth structures, religious organisations and schools must unite and take back their streets,” he said.

Reddy, who is the former chairperson of the Chatsworth CPF, added he did not “sit on his hands” during this time.

“Our community was under siege by criminals, but I implemented sector policing and brought the SANDF into high-crime areas. We targeted drug dens and gang hot spots. We suffocated the criminals and reclaimed our community. Crime dropped drastically because we were tough, united and fearless. That same courage is needed again.”

Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, leader of the Minority Front, said: “Crime in these areas can be attributed to growing unemployment, the availability of dangerous dependence-producing substances, and the ability of criminals to access weapons like firearms and knives.

“These areas are also under-policed which has resulted in a space being created for private security like Rusa filling in this gap. As a result of the proactive nature of Rusa, state law enforcement have become relaxed in enforcing their duties.

“To further exacerbate the issue, many police stations in these areas are riddled with corruption leading to a breakdown in the relationship between the police and the community they serve. Members of these communities often attribute their unwillingness to report or follow up on cases to corruption within the police,” she said.

Thakur-Rajbansi said the way to solve the “crime epidemic” would be to start by enhancing law enforcement capabilities.

“This is so that criminals are certain that they will be apprehended and will likely face lengthy prison sentences. Thereafter, the state needs to begin by cleaning up these areas so that they can attract investment. Investors will not want to create meaningful economic opportunities in dangerous areas where employees’ lives are at risk and assets may be destroyed.

"Restore trust between the police and communities by cleaning out corrupt actors within the police force. I would suggest the establishment of independent disciplinary tribunals to investigate serious complaints.

“Law enforcement needs to work with local CPFs to strengthen crime prevention through environmental design: access control, improve lighting visibility, control overgrowth of bushes and trees, and post metro police in hot spots.

"My overall view is that crime is out of control due to our weak internal security measures. We need to address the situation of illegals, drug and arms accessibility. Our national intelligence needs to be proactive, and partner with provincial safety and security. It is time to give provinces complete control of safety and security as such devolution of powers will see more efforts put into spending budgets allocated appropriately to protect our citizens and properties,” she said.

Riona Gokool, DA spokesperson on community safety and liaison, said: “The figures confirm, yet again, that our country and our province in particular remains in the grip of a relentless crimewave that shows little sign of abating.”

She said while there had been “statistical improvements” in certain areas, the reality was that far too many residents continued to live in fear, with communities across KZN feeling the devastating impact of violent crime.

“The SAPS need to ensure every officer is properly trained, held accountable, and adequately resourced to perform their duties effectively. This reform is particularly urgent in the fight against GBV, where KZN has once again been ranked as the second worst-affected province in the country.”

Community organisations

Rocky Naidoo, chairperson of the Chatsworth and District Civic Federation, said the population increase and note nough police personnel on the ground had led to the crime increase in Chatsworth.

“There is a lack of policing in Chatsworth. Another issue is that people are angry with one another, hence contact crime has increased."

Residents are not reporting crime, and due to this, crime increases,” Naidoo added.

He said police strategies were notworking.

“It is always a reactionary response. The partnership between police, security companies and the CPFs is working, but more work is being done by security companies and the CPFs than the police. There should be more visible policing and anger management programmes for residents. Sexual assault cases are increasing as a result of poor parenting and a lack of respect. Our social welfare department needs to be more active in our communities. We definitely need more resources in crime intelligence to help curtail crime,” Naidoo said.

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