Although South Africa’s youth are implicated in many incidents of crime, little is known about their experiences and perceptions of the problem. A focus group study in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape reveals the extent to which crime features in the lives of young people. Many were victims of violent crimes like robbery, and over half knew people involved in crime – mostly family and friends. Drug related offences also featured prominently. Few of the youths had confidence in families and schools as the institutions responsible for their development and socialisation.
Sibusiso Masuku (Wed,) studied this question.