Summary of key findings

Household crime levels in South Africa

In 2021/22, an estimated 1,4 million incidences of housebreaking occurred, affecting 983 000 households in South Africa. The number of affected households represents 5,4% of all households in the country. Almost 60% (59,2%) of households that experienced housebreaking reported some or all incidences to the police.

An estimated 205 000 incidences of home robberies occurred, affecting 155 000 households in 2021/22. The number of affected households represents 0,9% of all households in the country. About 66% of households that experienced home robbery reported some or all incidences to the police.

In 2021/22, 42 000 households experienced the theft of motor vehicles in a total of 42 000 incidences. Less than 1% (0,2%) of all households in the country experienced theft of motor vehicles. About 57% (57,2%) of households that experienced theft of motor vehicles reported some or all incidences to the police, which is a 33,8 percentage point decrease compared to the previous year.

Individual crime levels in South Africa

An estimated 1 331 000 incidences of theft of personal property occurred in 2021/22, affecting 1 105 000 individuals aged 16 years and older. The number of affected individuals represents 2,6% of the population. About 31% (30,8%) of individuals who experienced theft of personal property reported some or all incidences to the police.

A total of 246 000 (0,6% of adults aged 16 and older) individuals experienced street robbery in a total of 295 000 incidences. About 34% (33,7%) of the victims reported some or all incidences to the police, which is a 21,2 percentage point decrease compared to the previous year.

A total of 376 000 (0,9% of adults aged 16 and older) individuals experienced consumer fraud in a total of 844 000 incidences. Results show that 44,2% of the victims reported some or all incidences to the police, which is a 2,9 percentage point increase compared to the previous year.

The number individuals that experienced hijacking increased from 64 000 in 2020/21 to 134 000 in 2021/22. An estimated 137 000 hijackings occurred in 2021/22, affecting 134 000 (0,3%) persons aged 16 years and older. About 63% (62,9%) of the victims reported some or all incidences to the police.

Feelings of safety

About 81% (81,3%) of the population felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood during the day while 36,0% felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood during the night. Both figures decreased from 2020/21. Females in general felt safer walking alone in their neighbourhood than males during the day. Similarly, rural residents had a greater feeling of safety walking alone in their areas when it is dark than residents in urban areas. About 48% (47,7%) indicated that they have done something to protect themselves. About 30,4% of the population indicated that they only walk during safer hours and 28,8% indicated they have taken physical protection measures for their home as the main thing they have done to protect themselves against crime. Only 3,8% indicated they carry a weapon (gun, knife, screwdriver, or blade) as the main thing they have done to protect themselves against crime.