Crime and public violence: a dual threat in South Africa
In the past three years, the number of aggravated robberies in South Africa has increased by 28 per cent.
Last Tuesday, the Krugersdorp Rotary Club hosted a talk on the dual threat of crime and public violence in South Africa, and the statistics revealed were alarming.
Dr Johan Burger, Senior Researcher of the Crime and Justice Programme at the Institute for Security Studies, started off by discussing public order incidents, and given the recent events in Pretoria this week, the statistics were a rude awakening.
In the space of 10 years, the number of peaceful protests in our country increased by 58 per cent, while the number of violent protests went up by 247 per cent.
Dr Burger added to this, saying that the main reason for the substantial increase in violent protests is the fact that violence has become a tool for carrying out political beliefs.
Another set of figures that he highlighted was the increase in murders – nine per cent in the past three years. The average number of murders in South Africa is 32,9 per 100 000 people, while the average in Gauteng is 28,4 per 100 000. Compared to the international average of 6,2 per 100 000, he said “We have a big problem.”
There is, however, hope. Following the suspension of the National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, and the appointment of Kgomotso Phahlane as Acting National Police Commissioner, Burger is positive that things will begin to improve in South Africa.
The one-hour talk ended with Burger receiving a copy of the Rotary’s Four Way Test, which was handed to him by the president of the club, Colin Steyn.
See also:
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•Recognise the 1976 Kagiso Student Protest
