Deploying the military can reduce violent crime (temporarily) but does not address its root causes.
- Criminologist / Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University
Police officials in high-crime areas are overwhelmed by the many criminal cases they must investigate.
Firearms may provide firearm owners with a means of self-defence in confrontations with criminals, but the unlawful use of a licensed firearm can have negative legal consequences.
Government departments, civil society groups and the private sector should pool resources and work together in a co-ordinated manner to prevent violent crime.
The crux of the arms-to-Russia allegations relates to the content of the US intelligence reports.
Security companies suggest that criminals take advantage of the fact that many home and business security systems get compromised during power outages.
Historically, most mass shootings in South Africa have been associated with three main things: gang conflicts, rivalries in the minibus taxi sector and factional or inter-group feuds.
As the July 2021 unrest and looting graphically showed, crime and lawlessness can debilitate and destroy government efforts to facilitate and support economic growth.
If proposed amendments to the law are passed, it will no longer be possible to acquire a firearm licence for self-defence in the country. This has sparked heated debate.
An uncomfortable reality is that looting is perceived by the looters to be socially acceptable and is often encouraged and endorsed within social and community networks.
President Ramaphosa’s emphasis on fighting crime is well placed. Most categories of violent crimes have risen dramatically over the past eight years.
Many of the crime prevention strategies South African President Cyril Ramaphosa proposed have been tried, with few positive results.
The Law and Order Index says South Africans feel less secure than people in Yemen, the DRC and Libya, countries all affected by violent conflict.
Contact Guy for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Website
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined
