Household crime levels in South Africa

In 2023/24, an estimated 1,5 million incidences of housebreaking occurred, affecting 1,1 million households in South Africa. The number of affected households represents 5,9% of all households in the country. About 44% (44,1%) of households that experienced housebreaking reported some or all incidences to the police.

An estimated 263 000 incidences of home robberies occurred, affecting 209 000 households in 2023/24. The number of affected households represents 1,1% of all households in the country. About 58% (57,6%) of households that experienced home robbery reported some or all incidences to the police.

Individual crime levels in South Africa

Theft of personal property is the most common crime experienced by individuals aged 16 years and older in South Africa. An estimated 1,4 million incidences of theft of personal property occurred in 2023/24, affecting 1,3 million individuals aged 16 years and older. The number of affected individuals represents 3,0% of those 16 years and older. About 29% (28,5%) of individuals who experienced theft of personal property reported some or all incidences to the police.

The second most experienced crime by individuals was street robbery. A total of 443 000 individuals experienced street robbery with an estimated 497 000 incidences. About 44% (44,2%) of the individuals reported some or all incidences to the police. About 24% (23,9%) of victims were injured during incidences of street robbery and 66,0% required medical attention. Only 3,6% of the individuals that experienced street robbery received counselling.

In 2023/24, 295 000 individuals experienced assault in a total of 506 000 incidences. Less than 1% (0,7%) of all individual aged 16 years and older in the country experienced assault. Out of the individuals that experienced assault, 55% reported that weapons were used. They indicated that the weapon that was mainly used during incidences of assault was a knife. About 23% (22,5%) the individuals reported that the incidences of assault occurred at home. Only 1,9% of the individuals that experienced assault received counselling after the incidence. About 54% (53,6%) of individuals that experienced assault reported some or all incidences to the police.

Feelings of safety

About 80% (80,4%) of those aged 16 years and older felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood during the day while 34,9% felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood during the night. Females felt very unsafe walking alone when it is dark compared to males. The proportion of individuals who have done something to protect themselves against crime increased from 29,7% in 2022/23 to 39,9% in 2023/24. Only 33% (33,4%) of the population indicated that they only walk during safer hours as the main thing they have done to protect themselves against crime. Of those aged 16 years and older, 80% felt safer after taking measures to protect themselves against crime. The majority of individuals (43,8%) indicated they will call the police when they see a crime being committed.