Crime in South Africa

South Africa in the 2000s. A survey for the period 1998-2000 compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ranked South Africa second for assault and murder (by all means) per capita and first for rapes per capita.

Many emigrants from South Africa state that crime was a big factor in their decision to leave. Crime against commercial farmers has continued to be a major problem in the country. South Africa also has a bad record for car hijackings when compared to industrialized countries largely associated with the lower rate of car ownership. One South African insurance company, Hollard Insurance, no longer insures Volkswagen Citi Golfs as they are one of the most frequently hijacked vehicles in South Africa. In some areas there are road signs that indicate a high car-jack zone. A recent new trend in South Africa is for thieves to enter restaurants and rob the patrons eating there.

The Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula caused outrage among South Africans in June 2006 when he responded to opposition MPs in parliament, who were not satisfied that enough was being done to counter crime, saying that MPs who complain about the country's crime rate, should stop complaining and leave the country.

Also see: SA 'rape capital' of the world

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_South_Africa