Youth disagree with crime stats: Survey
2012-09-26 18:15
Johannesburg - More than half of young South Africans disagree with the crime statistics released last week, consumer insights company Pondering Panda said on Wednesday.
"The results show that 62% of young South Africans think crime is increasing, compared to a year ago," Pondering Panda said in a statement.
"Of the remaining respondents, 19% feel that things are improving and an equal number feel that crime patterns remain the same."
The 2011/12 crime statistics, released by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa last week, showed there was a decline in various serious crimes.
About 1 968 people, between the ages of 18 and 34, were polled across the country for the survey.
According to the results, more women (67%) than men (56%) thought crime was getting worse.
About 68% of whites, compared to 59% of blacks, thought the crime rate was increasing, and 74% of coloureds and 80% of Indians thought crime was up.
Butch Roce, of Pondering Panda, said the opinions of young South Africans did not match the official statistics.
"Government's claims that crime stats are improving is falling on deaf ears, as it is clearly not a perception shared by South African youth," he said.
"Other surveys we have conducted show that crime and unemployment are the two most important issues concerning young South Africans when considering their future prospects in this country."
Roce said young people's faith in the political process was being eroded.
"This can only result in alienation from the political process, with a resultant low turnout in the next election."
- SAPA
