Crime
As with the other sectors which are being discussed, one cannot overlook the changes which have taken place in terms of combating crime in South Africa. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the murder rate has decreased from over 26,000 in 1995/96, to less than 17,000 in 2009/10
[28], representing a 50% reduction rate. The numbers in terms of attempted murder have also gone down from just under 27,000 to just less than 15,500
[29]. Burglaries at businesses have also decreased from 87,600 to just over 69,000 and theft of motor vehicles from 105,000 to 64,000. However, there have been notable increases in common robbery from under 33,000 to nearly 55,000, sexual offences from nearly 45,000 to over 66,000
[30]. Drug related crimes have noted the highest increase from nearly 46,000 in 1994/95 to over 150,000 in 2010/11. The murder rate still remains one of the highest in the world with nearly 7 murders per 100,000, 4.5x the global average
[31].
While the changes are important in terms of decreasing numbers of murders, motor vehicle theft and business burglaries, there has been a lot of criticism as to the handling of cases by the SAPS as well the excessive use of force. Of the 5 869 complaints and notifications lodged against SAPS members to the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) in 2010/11, some 56% were criminal cases and deaths either at the hands of police or in police custody
[32]. At the same time overcrowding in prisons grew by over 50% and the proportion of prisoners being given life sentences rose by a staggering 2,400%
[33]. The National Prosecuting Authority has recently also faced much criticism and public uproar after the acquittal of 7 policemen being prosecuted for the murder of Andries Tatane
[34]. The widely publicised incident at Marikana during which 34 workers were killed by police during a protest over wages is also another case in point already mentioned. Cases such as these highlight the unrestricted use of force by the SAPS in tackling crime. At the same time, corruption runs rampant through the police force with bribery and illicit deals being conducted on a daily basis, while documentation at police stations repeatedly goes “missing” or is “lost” when certain criminals are about to stand trial.