SA's crime victims in millions
2004-10-30 16:09
Cape Town - People earning more than R12 000 a month have little to laugh about - the chance they may be robbed of their property runs to an amazing 23%.
When crime surveys other than those of the police are scrutinised, the picture that emerges is not at all rosy.
At least 4.2 million South Africans from 16 years up were victims of non-violent crime between June 2003 and June 2004 in comparison with 3.8 million in the previous time frame.
According to research with about 25 000 respondents by the South African Advertising Research Foundation, 400 000 more people were victims of non-violent crime last year compared to the previous year.
The number of victims increased from 129 out of every 1 000 people to 140 out of 1 000.
In the same period, violent crime - excluding murder - affected 300 000 South Africans.
3 million victims of violent crime
If the number of murders was added, the number of affected people would have been even higher.
According to the survey, a person's chance of becoming a victim of violent crime has increased from 70 out of 1 000 in the previous year to 80 out of 1 000 now.
From June 2003 to June this year, about three million people were victims of violent crime, excluding murder.
Violence against women also increased from 52 out of 1 000 to 64 out of 1 000, the survey found.