South Africa’s weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable, with snow blanketing the Eastern Cape in November and the N3 highway facing dangerous closures and even a fatality from heavy snowfall in September. Amid these unusual weather shifts, the focus often falls on personal safety and planning for unexpected conditions, yet few consider how these changes might also impact crime patterns.
Read moreDuring the second quarter of 2024, South Africa saw commercial crime, assaults, drug-related offenses, and theft dominate the crime statistics. Although the total number of incidents in some categories showed a slight decline compared to earlier in the year, overall crime levels remained high.
Read moreSince the 1990s, the relationship between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security has been complex. As crime rates rose, so did the demand for private security services, driven by a perception that the police alone couldn’t meet the public's needs. Historically, this led to a divide between SAPS and private security, which remained until recently.
Read moreThe Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is currently facing criticism from the business community over a strike certificate issued nearly seven years ago. Granted in August 2017, this certificate addressed concerns about "weak economic growth" and "increasing job cuts." COSATU has since leveraged it for several strikes, including the nationwide protest taking place today, October 7, 2024.
Read moreIn 2024, cyber threats are rapidly increasing worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. Many businesses still focus heavily on physical security, but digital threats, including phishing and ransomware attacks, pose equally serious dangers. Cybercriminals use tactics like phishing to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and One Time Passwords (OTPs).
Read moreThe latest South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics for Q4 2023/2024 and Q1 2024/2025 were released and reveal significant insights into the state of crime across the country. The data highlights not only current crime hotspots but also details emerging trends, such as non-residential robberies which continue to evolve in both scale and method.
Read moreExtortion, often disguised as "protection money," has become a significant issue in South Africa, disrupting the economy and costing lives. The practice, which started in remote areas, has now entrenched itself in urban settings, creating a complex and dangerous landscape that is proving challenging to dismantle.
Read moreLess than half of South Africa's housebreaking victims report the crime to the police, with many believing that law enforcement won't take action. This insight comes from Statistics South Africa's (Stats SA) 2023/2024 Victims of Crime Report, which used a sample size of 30,000 households across the country.
Read moreCopper theft is a significant and growing issue in South Africa, fuelled by rising unemployment and economic hardship. The country is grappling with two distinct forms of copper theft, petty theft by individuals driven by desperation and sophisticated operations conducted by organised crime syndicates. Both forms of theft are causing widespread disruption, affecting the economy, infrastructure, and service delivery.
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