South Africans, (SA has a population of 47 million people) reported 19 202 murders at the SA Police Service from April 2006 to March 2007. (Source) SA's reported murder rate is the sixth highest in the world after Colombia (Source). There aren’t however reliable statistics in most African and in some South American countries. Some countries, like Somalia, don’t have central government at all. It doesn't make South Africa's situation by any means less critical however.
According to the South African Advertising Research Foundation's annual All Media and Product Study report, 11.6% of adults were victims of violent crime in South Africa the past 12 months preceding the date of interview, down from 12.4% in the 2005 survey. The report was released in September 2006 (Source).
The question asked to the interviewees was: "During the past 12 months, have you personally been a victim of violent crime in South Africa, i.e. physical assault, mugging, gang attack, rape or hijacking?" (Source). They interviewed 24 813 people. The average monthly domestic income for the interviewees were R998 (US$135) per month. When you use that figure of 11.6%, while not taking into account that the majority of violent crimes happen in non-tourist areas, an adult tourist stand less than a 0.67% chance to be a victim of violent crime when visiting South Africa for 3 weeks. Fact is however that South Africa does post more danger than most other popular tourists destinations and that theft of luggage at our airports are cause for concern. As the tourism industry is one of South Africa's most valuable economic assets, more attention should be given to the protection of tourists.
According to a recent United Nations report, 3% of people in Scotland and 2.8% people in England and Wales are victims of violent crime each year. The violent crime the report referred to excluded rape and hijacking, but referred to physical assault. I quote from the article published on September 2005 in The Times, a UK newspaper: "The study, based on telephone interviews with victims of crime in 21 countries, found that more than 2,000 Scots were attacked every week, almost ten times the official police figures. They include non-sexual crimes of violence and serious assaults. Violent crime has doubled in Scotland over the past 20 years and levels, per head of population, are now comparable with cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Tbilisi." (Source)
A recent analysis of 9 623 dockets by the government indicated that in 81.5% of the murders the perpetrators were known to the victims and in 46% of those cases the perpetrators were relatives, friends or acquaintances of the victims. The figures for serious and violent assault indicated that in 89.1% of cases the perpetrators were known to the victim (72.9% were relatives, friends or acquaintances), while in 75.9% of rape cases the perpetrators were known to the victims (57% being relatives, friends or acquaintances of the victims) (Source).
Most homicide victims have been found to have high concentrations of alcohol in their blood. Most murders have tended to be committed on Friday and Saturday nights and in and around taverns, bars and shebeens. It is also mentioned that most suspects arrested for murder and rape have been found to have used drugs or alcohol immediately prior to the crime (Source).
I believe above-mentioned statistics put the violent crime rate, especially the murder rate in perspective, but every murder or violent act is one too many. I know last-mentioned may sound like a cliche, but the truth is that every violent act often leads to trauma for the victim and its acquaintances, in the process tearing the South African psyche apart. The crime crisis in South Africa is endemic and we call on the government to take the matter more seriously.
Comments (19)
Employment
19
Thursday, 03 June 2010 16:37
Trevor Williams
I am a person who was brought out to South Africa in 1970 as part of a group of twenty two electricians to assist the South Africans in building what was the biggest shopping complex in the Southern Hemisphere - The Carlton Centre . Anglo American brought a team from the U.K. who had previously worked on high rise buildings to assist in the building of this magnificent complex. I spent four years working on that complex and was very proud to say that I had been part of the team who built that complex , look at it now it is a slum which is partially closed because of the unsafe element that frequent the complex. Now we have a new South Africa that let's in anybody from the African States , they do not have to be skilled or of benifit to the country they just come and settle and they are welcomed with open arms. This country should forget about this BEE nonsence and start to train anybody who is going to be a benifit to the country. So much curruption has already closed many factories in this country , we now depend on our comrades in China for most things in the country . One day China will close the noose on Africa and just take over the continent. One day you will read from your overseas newspaper that the Chinese now are in power in Africa and then the real problem starts.
Crime affects us all
18
Wednesday, 12 November 2008 15:23
Adam
As a youngster in S.A. - under 25 years of age - I have personally been the victim of many crimes. Who here hasn't?
What agitates me the most is the fact that criminals, usually in groups of two or more, target a child (alone). While i was still in primary school a group of 3 african men pushed me off my beloved bicycle and proceeded to beat me with sticks (and the final smash with a brick to my head which landed me in ICU) - all this over a bicycle. I was 11 years old at the time. Regardless of our political history (which seems to take the blame for everything and will continue to do so, much like the Nazi regeime) this does not give them the right to show such disregard for human life.
Since the above mentioned incident, I have been working my way to be able to emigrate. This is my only choice as I am not prepared to bring any kids into this ROTTEN country of ours, which seems will only get worse if JZ comes into power & the youth league's statement: "We are prepared to kill for Zuma?". Who are they gonna kill? All the whites? This seems to be very possible, look at JZ's favourite song: "One Settler, One Bullet". This disgusts me seeing that the ANC fought for equality, all this shows is how apartheid has been reversed. What is so equal about that?
As much as I love MY home, and don't want to leave, I fear for the future. It's time for all of us to pack our bags and leave for a country with a better society, and perhaps, less crime. There is no future here.
Leadership
17
Tuesday, 16 September 2008 11:20
Paul
SA has been through many rough patches in its rather short history. Wars were fought over land and settlement, over diamonds and gold and over sovereignty. In 1994 it seemed as though it had finnally arrived at a mature quasi stability and at least espoused the basic tenets of democracy and human rights/freedoms. It is NOT Zimbabwe or Somalia. But it is still Africa and needs to shed the naivte of African undereducated political in.fighting. Of course the crime stats are totally unacceptable and surely the any govt is accounable to its employer (the people) but there needs to be a change of mindset. It has often been said Citzens get the govt they deserve.this is true even in a dictatorship. But in a country with pretensions to democracy the population can excersise there dissatisfaction through the ballot. Yet in Zimbabwe, which was ostensibly a democracy, they failed to vote for change. The essense of any solution in SA is LEADERSHIP. If your leaders fail you it is your responsibliity (to your family and fellow citizens to vote and vote again until you achieve the leaders you demand. The ANC however well intentioned obviously lacked experience in 1994. Since then thy have acquired substantial know-how but in some respects have failed to control crime and mass poverty. They were loyally supported for the efforts in the "struggle" but should now be held to account and if found wanting, removed from office. Protests stayaways and even pasive resitance are tools that may in extreme circumstances be deployed. But has the ballot box even been tried.Why is it that a labout movement (cosatu) and a socialist party SACP. still cling to the shrt sleeves of a pro capitalist ANC government when unemployment is soo high and seemingly ingnored? Africa is in a terrible state but it may all be brought down to poor leadership. demand more of our leaders.Define comunity priorities, set minimum stardards and if they fail you replace them. Get involved.
South africa has no good future
16
Saturday, 23 August 2008 14:04
david
At the moment sa is becoming the next Zimbabwe.people all around the world think sa is a developing country...but it is really a country that is falling to the ground.Imagine Zuma the next president of sa it will be a chaos.At the moment south africa has no future.Once 2010 is over is time to take ur family and get out.
My last coment on this site, i hope!!
15
Tuesday, 12 August 2008 21:33
Kugan Pillay
Well, i think that i have a solution, however this is only for me(i think)...
In a law-less society like the one we have right now leaves me with only one solution......become a law unto my self....
I have decided that i have to ensure that my family is safe and am prepared to do anything to ensure that.So i am going to sling on my "six shooter" and take on this town and rid the vermin that so destroyed and still destroyingour people (law abiding citizens) of S.A.
i may be looked at as an "idiot" but hey,,what the hell no one else is going to anything, after all the only solution i hear from most people is "get out of this country" i hear it from my friends and family who already left, so this is my solution...
look,I am hoping that our next president (?Zuma)who looks bad on paper is actualy going to do something...well all the so called squeaky clean,suave chaps in suits have pulled the wool over our eyes, so who are we to say that JZ (Zuma) will not prove all his critics wrong and realy do things for the people,,,if he fills his pocket while doing it "WHO CARE;s" as long as we see results..All politicians are crooks, and so are most of us as well,,,,who does not cheat on his taxes, or cheats their company of some overtime etc. etc..
Blah, Blah, Blah,,,,moan, groan!!!!
See ya chap,s
I will however stick around to hear other coments and hopefuly get better ideas on how to combat the crime issue, untill then
Bang!Bang!
Kugan Pillay
Leaving SA-crime
14
Saturday, 09 August 2008 23:39
Craig
We recently immigrated to England,it was a tough move leaving SA, very sad,we put our children first and unfortunatly,SA is not anymore a safe place for children to grow up,I would like to believe that it could turn around,but reality says it cannot,the socio-economic disparity is to large,and the government is not capable to turn this around,the next president of the people (Zuma) is a scary character and that he has the backing of a lot of the population it shows that the government has not been able to deliver and people are frustrated and looking to a person who cannot lead the country and deliver,everyone is hanging there hat on 2010,this is not going to be the saving grace for South Africa,I grew up during apartheid and i truly know that nothing has changed for the general populace,it seems to have got worse if you drive to any of the informal settlements,it is sad,and people are living in conditions that are not fit for animals.I do understand that with a hungry stomach there will be crime what I have never understood is the violent nature of crime in SA,I felt the past two years in particular that things were out of hand,people have become blazen about the law and it feels like a lawless society, I am not sure if there is a solution for SA,and do not believe that the current government can deliver one,I have left brothers/sisters and my parents in SA, and friends and colleagues,I can only pray that they do not become victims and survive,and no country will ever be home-only SA
Kugan, what can we do?
13
Friday, 08 August 2008 02:41
Patrick
Every time I read your comments you're asking the same question.
There are 3 things we can do to remedy the situation to some extent, and I have mentioned this in most of my comments on this site:
1. Get rid of the pathetic, jellyfish-like, incompetent ANC government and replace them with a pro-western government with REAL democracy principles. Don't think this one can be easily achieved, though..
2. Take the pathetic, jellyfish-like, incompetent ANC government to the Consitutional court and tie them up in the biggest court case in the history of SA. Can only be achieved if peace-loving SA'ns stand together(by the 100,1000's), raise a ton of money, hire the best human rights lawyers and sue the hell out of the government. Read my comment in the COMMENTS section elsewhere on this site. But the problem is, after 3 weeks since this posting, I am still the only member in this proposed union (not that I am surprised). Guess this is not going to work either.
3. Sell of all your belongings, get your family and get the hell out. 1st world western countries pretty much the safest to live in. This is probably the easiest of them all, SO DO IT!
Crime in SA...........
12
Thursday, 07 August 2008 13:34
Kugan Pillay
The sunday that went pass (03 August 2008)i lost a dear friend, he was 37 years old and left behind 3 kids all under the ages of 16.....
He was a policeman and was shot in uniform while on his way from work.He was a victim of an attempted hi-jackking.
These criminals are not afraid of the police at all and will stare them in the face and commit crimes, how often have we heard that police stations have been robbed,well if you did not hear of it now you have...
My point is that these criminals who commit such serious crimes are not necessarily products of poverty, these people are career criminals. I live in phoenix and live accross from a what was once a squatter settlement call "BHAMBHAI", now, we were subject to many a raid at night or day where stuff like clothes of our lines were stolen or you found that in the morning our wheels of our cars are missing, batteries gone etc.These crimes i personally did not mind (in a way of course) because of what i believe were crimes forced on by the poor living standards of my neighbours..
Now our hi-jakkers and armed robbers (Violent criminals - Killers) are a different kettle of fish,,,,,
"SO PLEASE DON'T ANYBODY THINK OR MAKE THE EXCUSE FOR THESE CHAPS AS BEING DISADVANTAGED ETC..THEY ARE COLD BLOODED CRIMINAL AND I WISH THAT OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (SAFETYAND SECURITY CHAPS) START SHOWING SOME KAHUNA'S AND PUT SOME FEAR IN THESE GUYS""""
well, once again,what can we do? what can I do?, is there anyone out there that has a plan, any plan!, i am ready to listen.
Unfortunately i have not much time as i would too have to take the next ship out of here for my childrens sake,, i would hate for them to grow up anywhere else,,but at leas they will have better chance of growing up.I love mu country and it has been good to me for most of my life, however i see nothing in it for my children, when i am gone who will protect them, and the way things are going now the chances of me not being around for long is quite high!!!!
CRIME
11
Thursday, 07 August 2008 09:44
Paul
Hi all, I've read everybody's comments and would like to add my worthless five cents.
Guys if you're not 'empowered' (read: corrupt businessman/politician), then unfortunately you're only an unwelcome visitor in this beautiful country.
It's a reality that things are getting worse and as nothing has been done the condition of SA is untreatable and is now terminal. These issues needed to be addressed in 1990-1994. If education and skills training had been made a priority back then, the masses would be in a far better situation today. Hind site always has the benefit of 20/20 vision. Now all we can do is either sit it out, like taking a ticket on the Titanic with the knowledge that it's going to sink. Or be proactive and leave for a country that values human life. Unfortunately the latter option is only for a priviliged few.
So be safe and look out for your family and your fellow man. Community involvement gives us a stronger voice. At least we can keep our dignity, even if everything else we hold dear is stripped away.
Doc - some comments
10
Sunday, 03 August 2008 22:08
Patrick
Doc, you writing about a lot of things that I don't really understand, but let's look at your last paragraph.. turn into someone I met here on this site..
Turn into what? You're a pro turned into deserter (your head probably filled with negative, feelings of disgust, anger and depression - although you won't admit it) due to the deteriorating crime-ridden atmosphere clouding our country. SO am I, and 1000's of others who left the country over the years. And probably rightfully so, because we value our lives, an those important to us (kids). It's called 'common sense and survival'.
But no matter where you are in the world, away from your country of birth, you can never call it home!
Point I am trying to make here is: no matter who we are, our differences, but on one thing we must agree and stand together in finding a solution now to restore law and order to ensure a safe living environment for all. This is the cornerstone of true democracy and will provide a framework to address all other issues in our country, which I think will pretty much fall into place from then onwards.
Africa
9
Saturday, 02 August 2008 19:30
Doc
I am a south african professional person living abroad. For a while now , I have been reading about and hearing from friends and relatives still at home about how bad things are getting with regards the crime, supply of basic needs (electricity) and the general feeling of negativity by those that are living daily life at home. Now I have been itching to come home with my family and use my knowledge to help uplift my fellow south africans lives in providing jobs , teaching skills etc.. but why should I come 'home' when my own family are all saying that its not worth the risk? I feel that we all want to say its the government , its the politicians , its the system- I say thats rubbish. people are just looking to blame somebody and its always the politicians that get the blame- I agree that there is a big corruption problem in government (not only in africa but believe me , it exhists even in so called first world places
but what are the people doing to help each other? bugger all i can promise you- its the same all over the world people- there is a steady moral decay in society- people just don't give a crap about each other any more- its every dog for himself unfortunately- people want to live the dream- but what do they have to live up to? idiot movie stars and rap artists - i wanna be like 50cent or will smith or living it up with bling and the big life- nobody wants to work for it any more- people just expect to get- i suppose its a legacy of apartheid , keeping people suppressed by giving them free beer in beerhalls and drugs to the coloureds in the cape- the new government has kept this free handout syndrome going by building free houses and giving these 'free' housing contractsto idiots that instead of teaching people how to build their own houses , they built them crap shanties- basically exchanged tin walls with brick walls- while a few are getting richer, the masses still suffer- so yeah , why not just have a look at zimbabwe- now heres a black man that in his old age realised a bit too late that the multinational companies that he had signed agreements with in the past are not giving him enough to keep his people happy in the way of education, upliftment etc- he didn't realise that was HIS job- is South Africa going this way also? has our beloved ANC forgotten its communistic roots? are we so enveloped by new order capitalism that we are not even affected by the beggar at the traffic light with his blind mother , asking for a few cents to buy a loaf of bread while we sit in our BMW's and close our electric windows when we see that we are unlucky to get a redlight and have to sit through the inconvenience of their presence at the side of the street? are the younger generation( black, white, yellow and green ..if you like) forgetting what we have been through to struggle for our freedom? the country needs solidarity- bulldust- the people need to wakeup and start looking after each other- stop stepping on each other to get to the surface, but help each other get there- if you give your brother a lift to the other side of the river- you will still get there yourself- remember??? the government cannot be relied on alone for this- sure they can help by getting tougher on crime- bring in Islamic law if they need to- chop hands/ execute those who have no respect for another human , unless they honestly repent and are forgiven by the family of the victim- Is that not what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was based on???
I will one day return , I hope to never turn into some people that I have met here that so easily forget what being a south african truly means. I will never swear allegiance to the Queen of England -she can keep her little crappy island and its weather- give me the taxis that drive *****, the stories about who got held up last week , the power cuts and the corruption in Africa anyday- at least its not covered up!!! they just dont give a @?/!!%~#
We need to do something about the crime in SA
8
Saturday, 02 August 2008 18:36
Kugan Pillay
Hello everybody....i have decided to change the topic a bit from my last comment.
I dont think that anything can and will be done as long as only just the three of us are only chatting (Patric Berenice and myself), we need to recruit more people to this wesite and have a broader input.
I have some ideas that we could talk about...is there a group we can go to or can we start something up....
THIS NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION..
Let us not become like our politicians, blow hot air and do nothing but talk....
Anybody in??????
why crime is a problem in SA and where to start cont...
7
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 10:07
Kugan Pillay
Well Patrick, after what you mentioned I have to say that I do agree with you that the economic boycott will not affect the top brass but only the poorer people.
I suppose that embarrassing the top brass will also not work as nothing embarrasses them....
WHAT DO WE DO!!!!
Just a thought....who stands to lose the most if we have a very low crime rate? well we know that"CRIMINALS" at large benefit..
Security in SA is big business, if crime rate drops then what happens to them...(Look I might be a bit stupid to suggest something like that but we need to ask those questions).
We need to find answers and not worry too much about debating what is going on or whether it will change, yes for some leaving is an option but for the rest of us, no chance...
Any suggestions!!! ANYONE,,,,,,,,,,,
Kugan and Berenice
6
Sunday, 27 July 2008 07:14
Patrick
You cannot compare the city of New York or the way they do things to situations in Africa. Cities and states in the USA are pretty autonomous and mayors have powers to make or break cities. But they must still operate within the laws of the federal government or they won't last long. The media and the governors (head of the states) will usually have their heads if they screw up.
In Africa it's a different story; the so-called mayors in the SA cities today are all part of the corrupt ANC government and share their ideologies, their type of laws and values (as I mentioned earlier), in fact they couldn't care less about the welfare and safety of their cities, they're merely puppets to their masters.
You can strike, stay away from work for however long you want, nothing will help. Instead, this 'economic boycott' proposal of yours will achieve just the opposite you would hope for. The masses will suffer further poverty and increase their (already) anger, hate and greed towards the more advantaged and wealthy.
For now, I do not have a clue how to drastically reduce the heinous, sickening and totally unacceptable violent crime levels in this country of ours. Brother Angus (the preacher) can attract tens of thousands, all with the hope that SA will become a peaceful country, but at the end of the day it's all a punch in the wind and a hour or two of fame for brother Angus.
My advice to brother Angus is the following: with your next hour of fame ensure that the pathetic ANC government and its law makers are present with him on the stage, preach to them with the hope their hearts will open up a bit to fully embrace first world principles and govern strategies.
Unfortunately I am not very optimistic that will ever happen, we all know what they (Africa) think of the Western world and its ideologies, don't we...
Why crime is a problem in SA and where to start cont...
5
Wednesday, 23 July 2008 07:30
Kugan Pillay
I apologise in my last statement where i indicated i aggree with Patrick, i actualy meant i aggree with Berenice...
why crime is a problem in SA and where to start..continued
4
Sunday, 20 July 2008 19:20
Kugan Pillay
I agree with patrick,we need to do something and i dont mean just going on marches..
I was in new york last year October and had a very interesting chat with a gift shop owner, i was quite surprised how safe i felt there and voiced this to this businessman who's shop runs 24/7. He indicated to me that it was not always like this, twenty years ago crime was a major problem in the city and it was the businesses in the area that threatened to close doors if nothing was done, these guy's really meant it that they would close doors even if it hurt them the most....can you imagine the amount of money the city of New York would have lost if this happened. So Rudi Juliani took this seriously at the time and started cleaning up New York.....
each city in SA should have all business close for a week in protest, so that the citizens of SA will be heard.
Yes this will damage the economy for a while but the end will justify the means and we all will better of for it,,,"no sweat no gain"
I am in as well to join forces with anyone who is also serious about sorting this issue,,,lets get our hands dirty and stop blowing hot air!!!
I am prepared to make contact with individuals to get this going.....
Patrick
3
Saturday, 19 July 2008 22:56
Berenice
Its time we stood up and did something about this rubbish as tax payers and citizens of this country. Its not a case of move on or get your family and get out!! What about the innocent people who cant afford to get out or just dont have a way of getting out? Its not that easy. We have to come up with a solution. Ive been living in fear for a long long time and I have had enough. I'm sick and tired of talking about being robbed and listening to peoples stories of who has been robbed, murdered, shot, etc!! If there is anyone out there with a solution.. I'm in!! My son was robbed today and god help the person who tries it again, that will be the last person they will ever rob. I'll take my chances.
Why crime is a problem in SA and where to start
2
Friday, 18 July 2008 07:39
Kugan Pillay
No criminal organisation can ever survive without the aid of the police force and other enforcement agencies (or lack of)
The (SAP)police services employes members merely to fill in the gaps and provide some employment.Most of these individuals dont care if crime is commited as long as they get a paycheck at the end of the month...
Vehicles get hijacked because it is so easy to re-register them with contacts in the SAP and licencing departments.
Housebreaking,,,finger prints are not lifted at the scene of these crimes because you cannot link the perpertrators to the crimes, the only way to nab a house breaker is on the act (if he is found in the possesion of stolen goods thats what he will be charged for), policemen protect these criminals because they get very lucritive kick-backs.
I live in phoenix and have come accross many a crime scene, you would think that the job of a "detective" would be to canvas the area asking people around the are questions, but nooo, that is too much hard work for them.I have a bullet stuck in my ceiling that was left after an attemp hi-jacking and robbery, i called the Phoenix Poilice station letting them know about it and their response was,,,wait for it!!!..."you can take it out yourself and throw it away, we dont need it" Now what if that gun was used in another crime, how would you link the criminals to these crimes!!!
So i say that we need to get the SAP sorted out other wise we are doomed..
Why dont we use the Army to assist the SAP, this could be good pratice for them, tey could use some action!
Kugan Pillay
Crime rate and stats
1
Thursday, 10 July 2008 04:31
Patrick
Malan,
You can harp on stats, and come up with all these cool figures and whatever. But it won't do the good people of SA any good. When will you and the other naive dudes realize that the government will not take this seriously, and they never will. When you're gonna get it that their values and laws are different than those of the developed 1st world countries. Just look at Mugabe, hallo!!!
Take my advice, get your family, get out and start living. Or, stay and accept the violent lifestyle. Go with the flow.
CharlHi Daar! Ten minste het julle 3 (jy, Mnre. Boshoff & Watson) die wêreld aan die praat! Vryheid van Spraak in aksie. Ek hou daarvan. Baai!
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Getting behind the statistics to offer a sober and sobering account of the scale of the crime problem and its evolution, the book describes how government has sometimes sought to deal with the crisis and sometimes sought to deny its existence. The book ends with some suggestions of what needs to be done to deal with this scourge. Buy
What agitates me the most is the fact that criminals, usually in groups of two or more, target a child (alone). While i was still in primary school a group of 3 african men pushed me off my beloved bicycle and proceeded to beat me with sticks (and the final smash with a brick to my head which landed me in ICU) - all this over a bicycle. I was 11 years old at the time. Regardless of our political history (which seems to take the blame for everything and will continue to do so, much like the Nazi regeime) this does not give them the right to show such disregard for human life.
Since the above mentioned incident, I have been working my way to be able to emigrate. This is my only choice as I am not prepared to bring any kids into this ROTTEN country of ours, which seems will only get worse if JZ comes into power & the youth league's statement: "We are prepared to kill for Zuma?". Who are they gonna kill? All the whites? This seems to be very possible, look at JZ's favourite song: "One Settler, One Bullet". This disgusts me seeing that the ANC fought for equality, all this shows is how apartheid has been reversed. What is so equal about that?
As much as I love MY home, and don't want to leave, I fear for the future. It's time for all of us to pack our bags and leave for a country with a better society, and perhaps, less crime. There is no future here.
In a law-less society like the one we have right now leaves me with only one solution......become a law unto my self....
I have decided that i have to ensure that my family is safe and am prepared to do anything to ensure that.So i am going to sling on my "six shooter" and take on this town and rid the vermin that so destroyed and still destroyingour people (law abiding citizens) of S.A.
i may be looked at as an "idiot" but hey,,what the hell no one else is going to anything, after all the only solution i hear from most people is "get out of this country" i hear it from my friends and family who already left, so this is my solution...
look,I am hoping that our next president (?Zuma)who looks bad on paper is actualy going to do something...well all the so called squeaky clean,suave chaps in suits have pulled the wool over our eyes, so who are we to say that JZ (Zuma) will not prove all his critics wrong and realy do things for the people,,,if he fills his pocket while doing it "WHO CARE;s" as long as we see results..All politicians are crooks, and so are most of us as well,,,,who does not cheat on his taxes, or cheats their company of some overtime etc. etc..
Blah, Blah, Blah,,,,moan, groan!!!!
See ya chap,s
I will however stick around to hear other coments and hopefuly get better ideas on how to combat the crime issue, untill then
Bang!Bang!
Kugan Pillay
There are 3 things we can do to remedy the situation to some extent, and I have mentioned this in most of my comments on this site:
1. Get rid of the pathetic, jellyfish-like, incompetent ANC government and replace them with a pro-western government with REAL democracy principles. Don't think this one can be easily achieved, though..
2. Take the pathetic, jellyfish-like, incompetent ANC government to the Consitutional court and tie them up in the biggest court case in the history of SA. Can only be achieved if peace-loving SA'ns stand together(by the 100,1000's), raise a ton of money, hire the best human rights lawyers and sue the hell out of the government. Read my comment in the COMMENTS section elsewhere on this site. But the problem is, after 3 weeks since this posting, I am still the only member in this proposed union (not that I am surprised). Guess this is not going to work either.
3. Sell of all your belongings, get your family and get the hell out. 1st world western countries pretty much the safest to live in. This is probably the easiest of them all, SO DO IT!
He was a policeman and was shot in uniform while on his way from work.He was a victim of an attempted hi-jackking.
These criminals are not afraid of the police at all and will stare them in the face and commit crimes, how often have we heard that police stations have been robbed,well if you did not hear of it now you have...
My point is that these criminals who commit such serious crimes are not necessarily products of poverty, these people are career criminals. I live in phoenix and live accross from a what was once a squatter settlement call "BHAMBHAI", now, we were subject to many a raid at night or day where stuff like clothes of our lines were stolen or you found that in the morning our wheels of our cars are missing, batteries gone etc.These crimes i personally did not mind (in a way of course) because of what i believe were crimes forced on by the poor living standards of my neighbours..
Now our hi-jakkers and armed robbers (Violent criminals - Killers) are a different kettle of fish,,,,,
"SO PLEASE DON'T ANYBODY THINK OR MAKE THE EXCUSE FOR THESE CHAPS AS BEING DISADVANTAGED ETC..THEY ARE COLD BLOODED CRIMINAL AND I WISH THAT OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (SAFETYAND SECURITY CHAPS) START SHOWING SOME KAHUNA'S AND PUT SOME FEAR IN THESE GUYS""""
well, once again,what can we do? what can I do?, is there anyone out there that has a plan, any plan!, i am ready to listen.
Unfortunately i have not much time as i would too have to take the next ship out of here for my childrens sake,, i would hate for them to grow up anywhere else,,but at leas they will have better chance of growing up.I love mu country and it has been good to me for most of my life, however i see nothing in it for my children, when i am gone who will protect them, and the way things are going now the chances of me not being around for long is quite high!!!!
Guys if you're not 'empowered' (read: corrupt businessman/politician), then unfortunately you're only an unwelcome visitor in this beautiful country.
It's a reality that things are getting worse and as nothing has been done the condition of SA is untreatable and is now terminal. These issues needed to be addressed in 1990-1994. If education and skills training had been made a priority back then, the masses would be in a far better situation today. Hind site always has the benefit of 20/20 vision. Now all we can do is either sit it out, like taking a ticket on the Titanic with the knowledge that it's going to sink. Or be proactive and leave for a country that values human life. Unfortunately the latter option is only for a priviliged few.
So be safe and look out for your family and your fellow man. Community involvement gives us a stronger voice. At least we can keep our dignity, even if everything else we hold dear is stripped away.
Turn into what? You're a pro turned into deserter (your head probably filled with negative, feelings of disgust, anger and depression - although you won't admit it) due to the deteriorating crime-ridden atmosphere clouding our country. SO am I, and 1000's of others who left the country over the years. And probably rightfully so, because we value our lives, an those important to us (kids). It's called 'common sense and survival'.
But no matter where you are in the world, away from your country of birth, you can never call it home!
Point I am trying to make here is: no matter who we are, our differences, but on one thing we must agree and stand together in finding a solution now to restore law and order to ensure a safe living environment for all. This is the cornerstone of true democracy and will provide a framework to address all other issues in our country, which I think will pretty much fall into place from then onwards.
but what are the people doing to help each other? bugger all i can promise you- its the same all over the world people- there is a steady moral decay in society- people just don't give a crap about each other any more- its every dog for himself unfortunately- people want to live the dream- but what do they have to live up to? idiot movie stars and rap artists - i wanna be like 50cent or will smith or living it up with bling and the big life- nobody wants to work for it any more- people just expect to get- i suppose its a legacy of apartheid , keeping people suppressed by giving them free beer in beerhalls and drugs to the coloureds in the cape- the new government has kept this free handout syndrome going by building free houses and giving these 'free' housing contractsto idiots that instead of teaching people how to build their own houses , they built them crap shanties- basically exchanged tin walls with brick walls- while a few are getting richer, the masses still suffer- so yeah , why not just have a look at zimbabwe- now heres a black man that in his old age realised a bit too late that the multinational companies that he had signed agreements with in the past are not giving him enough to keep his people happy in the way of education, upliftment etc- he didn't realise that was HIS job- is South Africa going this way also? has our beloved ANC forgotten its communistic roots? are we so enveloped by new order capitalism that we are not even affected by the beggar at the traffic light with his blind mother , asking for a few cents to buy a loaf of bread while we sit in our BMW's and close our electric windows when we see that we are unlucky to get a redlight and have to sit through the inconvenience of their presence at the side of the street? are the younger generation( black, white, yellow and green ..if you like) forgetting what we have been through to struggle for our freedom? the country needs solidarity- bulldust- the people need to wakeup and start looking after each other- stop stepping on each other to get to the surface, but help each other get there- if you give your brother a lift to the other side of the river- you will still get there yourself- remember??? the government cannot be relied on alone for this- sure they can help by getting tougher on crime- bring in Islamic law if they need to- chop hands/ execute those who have no respect for another human , unless they honestly repent and are forgiven by the family of the victim- Is that not what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was based on???
I will one day return , I hope to never turn into some people that I have met here that so easily forget what being a south african truly means. I will never swear allegiance to the Queen of England -she can keep her little crappy island and its weather- give me the taxis that drive *****, the stories about who got held up last week , the power cuts and the corruption in Africa anyday- at least its not covered up!!! they just dont give a @?/!!%~#
I dont think that anything can and will be done as long as only just the three of us are only chatting (Patric Berenice and myself), we need to recruit more people to this wesite and have a broader input.
I have some ideas that we could talk about...is there a group we can go to or can we start something up....
THIS NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION..
Let us not become like our politicians, blow hot air and do nothing but talk....
Anybody in??????
I suppose that embarrassing the top brass will also not work as nothing embarrasses them....
WHAT DO WE DO!!!!
Just a thought....who stands to lose the most if we have a very low crime rate? well we know that"CRIMINALS" at large benefit..
Security in SA is big business, if crime rate drops then what happens to them...(Look I might be a bit stupid to suggest something like that but we need to ask those questions).
We need to find answers and not worry too much about debating what is going on or whether it will change, yes for some leaving is an option but for the rest of us, no chance...
Any suggestions!!! ANYONE,,,,,,,,,,,
In Africa it's a different story; the so-called mayors in the SA cities today are all part of the corrupt ANC government and share their ideologies, their type of laws and values (as I mentioned earlier), in fact they couldn't care less about the welfare and safety of their cities, they're merely puppets to their masters.
You can strike, stay away from work for however long you want, nothing will help. Instead, this 'economic boycott' proposal of yours will achieve just the opposite you would hope for. The masses will suffer further poverty and increase their (already) anger, hate and greed towards the more advantaged and wealthy.
For now, I do not have a clue how to drastically reduce the heinous, sickening and totally unacceptable violent crime levels in this country of ours. Brother Angus (the preacher) can attract tens of thousands, all with the hope that SA will become a peaceful country, but at the end of the day it's all a punch in the wind and a hour or two of fame for brother Angus.
My advice to brother Angus is the following: with your next hour of fame ensure that the pathetic ANC government and its law makers are present with him on the stage, preach to them with the hope their hearts will open up a bit to fully embrace first world principles and govern strategies.
Unfortunately I am not very optimistic that will ever happen, we all know what they (Africa) think of the Western world and its ideologies, don't we...
I was in new york last year October and had a very interesting chat with a gift shop owner, i was quite surprised how safe i felt there and voiced this to this businessman who's shop runs 24/7. He indicated to me that it was not always like this, twenty years ago crime was a major problem in the city and it was the businesses in the area that threatened to close doors if nothing was done, these guy's really meant it that they would close doors even if it hurt them the most....can you imagine the amount of money the city of New York would have lost if this happened. So Rudi Juliani took this seriously at the time and started cleaning up New York.....
each city in SA should have all business close for a week in protest, so that the citizens of SA will be heard.
Yes this will damage the economy for a while but the end will justify the means and we all will better of for it,,,"no sweat no gain"
I am in as well to join forces with anyone who is also serious about sorting this issue,,,lets get our hands dirty and stop blowing hot air!!!
I am prepared to make contact with individuals to get this going.....
The (SAP)police services employes members merely to fill in the gaps and provide some employment.Most of these individuals dont care if crime is commited as long as they get a paycheck at the end of the month...
Vehicles get hijacked because it is so easy to re-register them with contacts in the SAP and licencing departments.
Housebreaking,,,finger prints are not lifted at the scene of these crimes because you cannot link the perpertrators to the crimes, the only way to nab a house breaker is on the act (if he is found in the possesion of stolen goods thats what he will be charged for), policemen protect these criminals because they get very lucritive kick-backs.
I live in phoenix and have come accross many a crime scene, you would think that the job of a "detective" would be to canvas the area asking people around the are questions, but nooo, that is too much hard work for them.I have a bullet stuck in my ceiling that was left after an attemp hi-jacking and robbery, i called the Phoenix Poilice station letting them know about it and their response was,,,wait for it!!!..."you can take it out yourself and throw it away, we dont need it" Now what if that gun was used in another crime, how would you link the criminals to these crimes!!!
So i say that we need to get the SAP sorted out other wise we are doomed..
Why dont we use the Army to assist the SAP, this could be good pratice for them, tey could use some action!
Kugan Pillay
You can harp on stats, and come up with all these cool figures and whatever. But it won't do the good people of SA any good. When will you and the other naive dudes realize that the government will not take this seriously, and they never will. When you're gonna get it that their values and laws are different than those of the developed 1st world countries. Just look at Mugabe, hallo!!!
Take my advice, get your family, get out and start living. Or, stay and accept the violent lifestyle. Go with the flow.