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Most improved suburbs in Cape Town

These suburbs have seen the biggest year-on-year decline in weighted crime harm-days, signalling a meaningful improvement in reported crime patterns.

"Most improved" means the largest statistically significant decrease in the Crime Harm Index weighted sum between the 2024 and 2025 reporting periods. Only suburbs with at least 500 residents are included. This is a relative measure comparing suburbs within Cape Town - not an absolute safety guarantee. Source: SAPS via DataFirst, Q3 2025/2026.

# Suburb Safety indexTrendMedian value
1 Khayelitsha Higher reported crime 29/100Significant decreaseN/A
2 Guguletu Higher reported crime 6/100Significant decreaseR2-400k
3 Strandfontein Lower reported crime 98/100Significant decreaseR800k-1M
4 Mowbray Moderate reported crime 35/100Significant decreaseR2-2.5M
5 Pinelands Lower reported crime 73/100Significant decreaseR3-3.5M
6 Thornton Lower reported crime 73/100Significant decreaseR1.5-2M
7 Harare Higher reported crime 3/100Significant decreaseR2-400k
8 Mandela Park Higher reported crime 3/100Significant decreaseR2-400k
9 Rondebosch Lower reported crime 98/100Significant decreaseR2.5-3M
10 Rosebank Lower reported crime 98/100Significant decreaseR1.5-2M
11 Lentegeur Moderate reported crime 46/100Significant decreaseR4-600k
12 Mandalay Moderate reported crime 46/100Significant decreaseN/A
13 Woodlands Moderate reported crime 46/100Significant decreaseR4-600k
14 Belmont Park Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseR800k-1M
15 Bloekombos Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseR0-200k
16 Bonnie Brae Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseR1-1.5M
17 Eikendal Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseR800k-1M
18 Fisantekraal Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseR0-200k
19 Kraaifontein Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseR3-3.5M
20 Kraaifontein East Higher reported crime 19/100Significant decreaseN/A
1 Khayelitsha Higher reported crime
Safety index 29/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value N/A
2 Guguletu Higher reported crime
Safety index 6/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R2-400k
3 Strandfontein Lower reported crime
Safety index 98/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R800k-1M
4 Mowbray Moderate reported crime
Safety index 35/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R2-2.5M
5 Pinelands Lower reported crime
Safety index 73/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R3-3.5M
6 Thornton Lower reported crime
Safety index 73/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R1.5-2M
7 Harare Higher reported crime
Safety index 3/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R2-400k
8 Mandela Park Higher reported crime
Safety index 3/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R2-400k
9 Rondebosch Lower reported crime
Safety index 98/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R2.5-3M
10 Rosebank Lower reported crime
Safety index 98/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R1.5-2M
11 Lentegeur Moderate reported crime
Safety index 46/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R4-600k
12 Mandalay Moderate reported crime
Safety index 46/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value N/A
13 Woodlands Moderate reported crime
Safety index 46/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R4-600k
14 Belmont Park Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R800k-1M
15 Bloekombos Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R0-200k
16 Bonnie Brae Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R1-1.5M
17 Eikendal Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R800k-1M
18 Fisantekraal Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R0-200k
19 Kraaifontein Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value R3-3.5M
20 Kraaifontein East Higher reported crime
Safety index 19/100
Trend Significant decrease
Median value N/A

How this ranking works

The Crime Harm Index (CHI) weights each crime category by the minimum sentence under South African law (Murder = 5,475 imprisonment days, Shoplifting = 2 days). This ranking compares the total weighted harm-days between two consecutive reporting periods and uses an Anscombe variance-stabilising z-score to identify statistically significant decreases.

Suburbs are ranked by the magnitude of their z-score decline. A more negative z-score indicates a larger, more statistically reliable improvement. Only suburbs showing at least a "moderate decrease" (z < -2) qualify for this list.

Crime trends are inherently volatile. A single year of improvement does not guarantee a sustained trajectory. Always consider multi-year patterns when making decisions.

Read the full methodology →