Crime

While South Africa has often been denigrated as the crime capital of the world, this is an inaccurate perception based on a period of uncertainty accompanying a country in the midst of a massive transition.

Fighting crime is a top priority of the South African government. A number of far reaching initiatives to fight crime have been taken since 1994. These include the establishment of an elite crime-fighting agency (the Scorpions) dealing with national priority crimes. Specialised Police investigative units have been restructured into integrated organised crime and serious and violent crime units. Recent legislation has helped further increase police visibility and crime prevention. This includes tougher sentences, bail and parole laws as well as efforts to reduce firearm crime and money laundering. A three-year crime-combating plan, called Operation Crackdown, is aimed at reducing the levels of crime in areas within which 50% or more of South Africa's crime occurs. Business is involved through "Business against Crime" in transforming the criminal justice system using private sector skills and capacity. For the investor, South Africa offers many benefits - the South African government encourages investors to come to South Africa and have a look for themselves, rather than be dissuaded by perception and media reports.