The latest official crime statistics, for the financial year 2003/04, are encouraging because they show a decrease in levels of most serious crimes, including murder, car hijacking, burglary and farm attacks. But the good news has yet to hit home for many South Africans. In fact, most people are more afraid of crime today than they were in 1998. It is likely that only sustained decreases in violent crime over several years, coupled with better service delivery, will make a difference.
Plessis et al. (Wed,) studied this question.