Understanding Social Disorganisation Trends: A July 2024 Report
12 Aug 2024
Social disorganisation trends for the month of July have been released and offer valuable insights into current unrests in the country. These unrests reflect the public’s response to various grievances through protests, marches and strikes. By understanding these patterns, we can anticipate where and why future disturbances might arise.
July 2024 Overview
In July 2024, there were a total of 341 incidents of social disorganisation. This figure includes 310 protests, 21 protest marches, and 10 strikes. The causes of these incidents were diverse with service delivery issues leading to 123 incidents, while labour unrest was responsible for 64 cases, crime contributed to 39 incidents, and other factors accounted for 28 cases. Employment issues were behind 26 incidents, while taxi unrest caused 16. Political unrest and school-related issues led to 15 and 12 incidents, respectively. Illegal land occupations or evictions were the cause of 6 incidents. Notably, the total number of social disorganisation incidents increased by 46% in July compared to June 2024.
August 2024 Forecast
Looking ahead to August 2024, it is anticipated that social disorganisation might continue to rise, particularly concerning taxi, school, and service delivery issues. Taxi unrest is expected to be a significant issue, especially in areas like Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu Natal, and Limpopo, where route disputes are growing. Additionally, in the Western Cape, new by-laws and enforcement actions, including vehicle impounding related to Operation Shanela, are likely to contribute to tensions. School unrest is also projected to increase, driven by ongoing concerns about racism cases whereby multiple groups and political parties have expressed their dissatisfaction.
Lastly, service delivery protests may become more common due to widespread frustration with water and electricity services. Municipal efforts to tackle illegal electricity connections and address housing demands are likely to fuel further unrest.
By staying informed about these trends, we can better anticipate and prepare for the challenges that may arise in the coming months.
Source: TopicWorx