South African Police Service (SAPS) has recently released (https://www.saps.gov.za/services/downloads/4th-Quarter-January%202023-March%202023.pdf) appalling crime figures for South Africa. These statistics may be like a horror show, they have shocked most people in the world. BBC World Service Radio decided to uncover why crime statistics are on the rise, and to investigate how the government is dealing with the issue, as well as what needs be done to address the crime situation.
First, we need to briefly analyse these statistics.
According to a report released by Minister Bheki Cele, violent crimes remain a serious issue. Between January and March 2023, 6,289 people were murdered, a rise as compared to 6,083 people who were murdered in the previous three quarters during 2022. This means we may hear of more than 20,000 victims of murder at the close of 2023. This ought not be so; it is devastating.
Research (https://issafrica.org/iss-today/reducing-murder-must-be-a-top-sa-government-priority) by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) laid bare South Africa’s annual murder rate being “over 44 murders per 100 000 people”, in 2022, as being the second highest in the world for countries with reliable crime data. Only Jamaica (52.98 murders per 100,000) is worse.
According to data from the World Population Review (WPR) Crime Rate by Country index for 2023, the top ten countries ranked with the highest crime rates, as expressed in per 100,000 people, are: Venezuela (83.76), Papua New Guinea (80.79), South Africa (76.86), Afghanistan (76.31), Honduras (74.54), Trinidad and Tobago (71.63), Guyana (68.74), El Salvador (67.79), Brazil (67.49), and Jamaica (67.42), (https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/crime-rate-by-country).
To emphasise, South Africa is ranked among the top 10 countries with the highest crime rates in the world. This is no good news at all. This is a serious issue which demands urgent strategic mechanisms.
Why are crime rates on the rise in South Africa? We need understand the various factors leading to individuals being lawlessness and/or inclining to a culture of violence and criminality.
In SA’s context, crime is heavily influenced by economic factors such as unemployment, lack of education or skills, social and/or economic exclusion, inequality, financial conditions, and maybe more. Unemployment rate is currently at 32.9%, among those of the working age group. Most of these are, of course, young people. On the other hand, it should be emphasized that the rich also do commit crimes, and in fact most drug lords and organized crime mafias are those with stable finances.
One cannot deny a fact that there are psychological and/or sociological factors correlative to the above described economic factors. Crime occurs, mostly, because it being wrongly perceived as most convenient way to get what some may desire, speaking from economical perspective. A fundamental idea is that individuals do not resort to crime independently, but crime may be a consequence to a peer pressure, whereby people would desire to accumulate possessions simply because they observed or learnt of others who gained “financial fortunes” out of proceeds of crime. Poverty also plays a significant role on why people may commit crime. Most criminals would steal, hijack or murder simply because they wish to improve their financial stability in one way or another, and once doing so this may be perpetual norm.
What must be done?
Crime is a scourge; the law is a powerful tool to address crime issue. Yet, also, we desperately need moral regeneration voices. DJ’s, actors, musicians, soccer players, politicians, etc, should all get involved in a ‘crime free activism’ aimed at a social change. This is important for even public figures and celebrities were observed to being victims of violent crimes.
Two important weapons in fighting crime are the Rule of Law, as well as the individual eagerness to understand the veracity and potency of living in a crime-free society. Everyone should learn from free and safer countries, such as Singapore, United States of America, Germany, and other countries, which their “cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to enter markets and compete, and security of the person and privately owned property”. Security of a person and protection of property should be a priority in fighting crime. For this to happen, we need strong institutions of administration of justice which would uphold the specifically entrenched constitutional principle of the Rule of Law, which is one of the foundational pillars of our constitutional democracy. Institutions and individuals should have a revolutionary strong sense of legality and a desire for legitimate conduct, to include a cleaner corruption-free government.
According to the World Justice Project (WJP)’s recent Rule of Law Index, South Africa’s adherence to the Rule of Law has declined during 2022. This means our government should focus more in this regard, and there is an urgent need to improve.
The WJP ranked (https://worldjusticeproject.org/rule-of-law-index/global) 140 countries on Rule of Law scoring in the world, and found South Africa’s overall scoring being at 54th out of 140 countries. 34 Sub-Saharan African countries were ranked, with the best being Rwanda and the worst being the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to WJP Rule of Law Overall Score, out of 140 world countries, South Africa tops all the BRICS countries by having strong institutions which adhere to the principles of the rule of law. The country scored at 80th on the world countries ranking, followed by India (77th), Brazil (81st), China (95th), and Russian Federation (107th). Furthermore, the index reveals South Africa moderately adheres to the Rule of Law; however, this should not be celebrated because the country is at a declining position in comparison to previous years’ statistics. A great deal of effort needs to be done in fighting crime and lawlessness.
The WJP scoring is based on factors such as a limited government; absence of corruption; checks, balances, transparency and accountability; respect and promotion of human right culture; order and security; regulatory enforcement; civil justice; and an efficient administration of criminal justice system.
Recently, Gauteng provincial government unveiled 4000 crime prevention wardens. This should be applauded, but not yet to celebrate. These are to patrol, on 24/7, the streets of towns and townships in Gauteng, with a task of fighting and preventing crime. This is a fine governmental move within a state of South Africa. Recruits should target cities with buildings which have been hijacked by criminal gangs and kingpins, who are carrying criminal activities there.
- We all owe a duty to fight crime:
As a final remark, high levels of crime should be a concern to all. The private sector, individuals, and civil society organisations should join hands in fighting crime by means of raising awareness on the Rule of Law, and strong advocacy on a potency of living in a crime free society. We need a safer society. NGOs, community policing forums, religious and/or other community-based organisations should collaborate in resolving a crime problem.
There should be a collaboration in action against crime among the state, community forums, civil society organisations, as well as individuals at a grassroots level. We all should be in solidarity in fighting crime, otherwise every effort may be futile. The state, through its institutions, should adhere to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, and be effective in administration of criminal justice system. Individuals should act legitimately and legally.
Author: Tebogo Sewapa is a humanities researcher, and a non-practicing advocate of the high court. He is currently pursuing an interdisciplinary doctoral degree focusing on colonial and mission history of land ownership during 19th century Transvaal. He is a contributing author of the Free Market Foundation. The views expressed in the article are the author’s and not necessarily shared by the members of the Foundation.