A WORLD OF CRIME: Youth views on crime in the Nelson Mandela Metro

Sibusiso Masuku

doi:10.17159/2413-3108/2004/v0i9a1031

Abstract

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.

Highlights

A large proportion of crime, and violent crime, is committed by young people
This article hopes to contribute to this effort by presenting an overview of youth experiences and perceptions of crime in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) in the Eastern Cape
The research was conducted by the Institute for Security Studies as part of a broader project to develop a crime prevention strategy for the NMMM. (For other research results from this project see the article by Valerie Møller in this issue, and SA Crime Quarterly No 5, Sept 2003)

Summary

Youth views on crime in the Nelson Mandela Metro

South Africa’s youth are implicated in many incidents of crime, little is known about their experiences and perceptions of the problem. In South Africa the trends are similar, and there is growing concern about how young some offenders are, and the seriousness of their offences Both juvenile offenders and victims are becoming younger, and increasing numbers of children are being arrested for serious crimes including housebreaking, robbery, rape and assault.[2]. The challenge for government is to ensure that children have the best start in life with opportunities to develop and achieve their full potential Achieving this will require identifying risk factors associated with poverty, family conflict, poor educational opportunities and poor service delivery. Research has found that youth behavioural problems can be prevented if the risk factors that lead young people to become offenders are accurately identified.

Risk factors for youth offending

Findings

Conclusion