South Africa’s crime statistics for the 2017/18 reporting year was released in parliament on 11 September 2018. They cover the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.
South Africa's murder rate has increased by 6.9%. In real numbers, this means that 1 320 more people have been murdered in South Africa in the past year.
Therefore, we would like to remind nationals and tourists keep alert as living or traveling in South Africa.
Listed are the things that you have to know and pay serious attention on them.
- Offences such as street muggings, smash-and-grab-robberies and pick-pocketing are a common occurrence in many cities around the world and you are advised to stick to common-sense safety measures. However, here often knifes or handguns are involved with street crime.
- Serious crimes are experienced mainly in low-income areas and townships. The highest violence, assault and property crime rate is experienced in the Cape Flats, where gang-violence is claiming many lives. Further, areas such as Nyanga, Mfuleni, Khayelitsha or Gugulethu remain the most dangerous places according to murder and serious crime statistics of the last years.
- Burglary, robbery and theft of private property are among the most reported crimes.
- Many neighbourhoods have put on special awareness campaigns and stepped up security with private watches and have now a much more visible police presence. Crimewatch members patrol the streets day and night and so have cut down on criminal offences in some areas drastically.
- For car-jacking, theft of private property and robbery, the middle class and more well-heeled population are especially targeted.
- Be alert as ID theft is increasingly happening. Make sure to dispose of your personal details on letters/envelopes etc in a safe manner. And always keep your eyes on your credit card when paying at a shop, petrol station or in a restaurant. Check your surroundings when using any ATM and report suspected ID theft immediately.
