Drug crime in Gauteng is up 8.7%.

According to the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) recent data, 11 619 drug-related crimes were reported in Gauteng between April and June 2026.

But in a handful of police precincts, drug-related crime has increased by concerning figures.

Drug-Related Crimes Up Significantly

In Gauteng, drug-related crime is trending upward. About 76% of precincts reported a rise or no change in this kind of crime.

Eden Park, however, recorded a 57.7% increase in drug crimes between April-June 2026 and the same period last year.

Sebokeng in Sedibeng experienced the second-highest increase in the province.

In one year, drug-related crime in the area rose 45.1%.

Only 35 of the province’s 146 SAPS precincts recorded a decrease. Some of these weren’t even that substantial.

Rosebank, for example, had drug-related crimes drop from 1 in the first quarter of 2025 to 0 in the first quarter of 2026.

In Muldersdrift on the West Rand and Fairland in Johannesburg, drug-related crime also decreased by 1 incident, from 3 reported in the first quarter of 2025 to 2 reported in the first quarter of 2026.

Police Precinct# Drug-Related Crimes% IncreaseEden Park11257.7%Sebokeng14845.1%Soshanguve9633.3%Sharpeville18329.9%Duduza10526.5%

Johannesburg Central is Gauteng’s drug capital.

In 3 months, 358 drug-related crimes were reported in Johannesburg, up 5.9% from the same time last year.

Tembisa was next with 309 drug-related crimes, a 6.9% decrease from the year before.

The township was 1 of only 3 precincts in the province’s top 10, where drug-related crimes decreased.

In areas like Krugersdorp, Tsakane, Kliptown, and Orange Farm, all in the top 10, drug-related crimes are up double digits.

Reporting Drug Crimes

Drug-related crimes are frequently underreported.

A 2025 study suggests all crime in South Africa, not only drug crime, is underreported.

Therefore, when drug reporting spikes, it can point to more production, distribution and use rather than more informed policing efforts.

Impact of this Worrying Trend

The impact of drug-related crimes on a community is far-reaching.

According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2026, the number of people using drugs rose to 331 million in 2024, up 34% from a decade earlier.

Seizures, production, and cocaine use also reached record highs in 2024.

But as UNODC highlights in its report, besides impacting communities and families, drug use impacts healthcare, social services and the criminal justice system.

Drug use drains resources.

Furthermore, the report spotlights three areas where drug abuse has real financial and social impact on communities.

  • Shoplifting: Affects shrinkage and raises grocery prices.
  • Increase in car accidents: Drives up insurance premiums in addition to taxes and levies like the Road Accident Fund.
  • Public drug use: Promotes drug use and drains healthcare and policing resources.