Crime statistics: SA is fast becoming the world's crime capital with increasing levels of violence

16 February 2024

While South Africa is beginning to stand out as one of the most crime-affected countries in the world, in various respects, and the crime rate continues to climb, crime hardly even registered as a short bleep on President Cyril Ramaphosa's SONA radar.

Even an internationally renowned research group, the Global Organized Crime Index (GOCI), has equated the ANC government to an organised crime cartel.

When it comes to the crime statistics released today, the rising levels of violent crime, particularly against women and children, are very alarming.

This is despite government and President Cyril Ramaphosa's numerous promises year after year to take decisive action against gender-based violence.

Over the course of the three-month period between October and December last year, femicide increased by 3,1% compared to the corresponding period last year. A total of 1 135 women were killed.

Attempted femicide (1 830 incidents) increased by 11,9% and assault with the intent of causing grievous bodily harm by 7% (18 474 incidents). Serious assault on children also rose by 11,9% (2 281 incidents).

As regards the general violent crime figures, murder increased by 2,1% (7 710), attempted murder by 13% (7 927), serious assault by 5,8% (2 931) and armed robbery by 6,6% (40 331 incidents).

As for the dreaded trio crimes, carjackings increased by 6,5% (5 973) and residential robberies by 1,7% (6 360). Incidents of robberies elsewhere decreased slightly by 3,2%.

What the figures fail to show is the reason why there has been such as sharp spike in violent crime.

Six years ago, the murder rate in South Africa was 34 per 100 000 of the population. It increased to 36,5 in 2022 (Statista, an international data and business intelligence forum).

It now stands at 45, the second highest in the world. At 52, El Salvador is the only place with a higher murder rate (Statista). Jamaica comes in at third (43,85%), followed by Honduras (38,93%) and Venezuela (36,69%) in fifth place.

According to GOCI’s latest report, South Africa is currently seventh on the list of countries with the highest organised crime rate and it is rising sharpest locally.

While established and extensive crime cartels are clearly the main cause of the organised crime problem in countries such as Colombia, Mexico and Nigeria, it is shocking to see that GOCI singles out the South African government as main role player.

The report states, among other things, "South Africa's criminal markets are strengthened by the influence of criminal actors, especially state-linked actors – responsible for years of state capture – as well as highly interconnected crime networks" – clearly referring to the ANC government's system of patronage.

The link between unemployment and crime in South Africa is obvious. As the country's economy declined over the years, levels of crime rose accordingly.

With its poor governance, the ANC has driven South Africa to a point where it is one of the worst and most criminal countries with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.

South Africans should not allow the ANC to remain in power after the upcoming elections to continue looting and driving the country over the edge of ruin.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 16 February 2024