Burglary at residential premises 250 606 246 654 -1.58% Shoplifting 68 786 67 454 -1.94% Malicious injury to property 119 901 116 409 -2.91% All theft not mentioned elsewhere 340 372 328 272 -3.55% Common assault 164 958 156 450 -5.16% Sexual offences 51 895 49 660 -4.31% Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm 182 933 170 616 -6.73% 4 903 4 321 -11.87% 6 3 -50.00% Arson Bank robbery 4. Service delivery failures by authorities at all levels South Africa experiences about one service delivery protest every second day. Delivery problems are a scourge affecting all, but especially the most vulnerable members of communities, including the youth. For example, poor service delivery resulted in the death of at least three babies who contracted waterborne diseases because of contaminated drinking water in the area of a town called Bloemhof, due to the municipality’s failure to provide safe drinking water and maintain the infrastructure to do so.7 A recent report pointed to only 5% of the bridges in Johannesburg – the largest city in South Africa – being safe.8 Among the causes of problems such as these are a misappropriation of funding, resulting in neglected maintenance, as well as a lack of skilled labour. The latter also has to do with the point raised above, namely that the most skilled applicants are not appointed in crucial positions, as preference is rather given to candidates of the right race to ensure meeting the demographic requirements. Apart from the physical danger posed by this situation, a failing infrastructure discourages investment and development, which in turn also exacerbates the unemployment situation. It becomes a vicious circle. 5. Political instability The South African government is currently embroiled in numerous scandals, claims of corruption and state capture. The State President is at the heart of these allegations.9 Even international authorities such as the FBI, Britain’s Public Relations and Communications Association, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Serious Fraud Office and the National Crime Agency are investigating allegations of money laundering and other illegal practices 7. 8. 9. https://www.groundup.org.za/article/three-infants-die-polluted-water-northwest-justice-must-bedone_1864/. https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/joburgs-infrastructure-on-the-verge-of-collapse11930782. http://sa-monitor.com/new-book-brings-explosive-allegations-south-african-president-jacobzuma-pri-20-november-2017/. 4