Crime is out of control
JOBURG – Crime has taken over people's lives and has left families devastated.
So it’s no secret that South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, but when you actually hear the shocking statistics it makes you realise just how bad it really is.
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega recently released the 2013/2014 crime statistics which revealed that murder has increased by five per cent and 47 people are murdered in South Africa every day. The stats also showed an increase in attempted murder, robbery and theft.
This is very alarming and when I heard this the hairs on my back stood up.
Every day you hear of crime and I am sure most people have been or know someone who has been a victim of crime. My house has been broken into and I was almost hijacked, just in the last few years. I have countless friends and family who have fallen prey to criminals and working in the media I am constantly exposed to crime.
Honestly, I am such a nervous person, always cautious and I cannot sleep in the house alone. Everywhere I go I look around and think there are criminals lurking around waiting to pounce on me.
I know this is a little extreme, but it is so scary to think that at any minute you could become a target. As community newspapers we publish stories all the time about crime and most of the incidents happen so close to home.
Something drastic needs to happen to turn this around and as law-abiding citizens we all need to stand together and help rid our beautiful country of crime.
