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Tag: crime

Police violence in South Africa: what do the numbers show?

Claims

Four claims about police violence in South Africa
Source: Online graphic (August 2020)

checked

Verdict

One mostly correct, two correct, one unproven

Read more

08:26 | 14 September 2020 (GMT)

  • crime
  • police
  • violence

Five facts: Femicide in South Africa 

A man holds a banner during a protest march in June 2018 in Durban against child abuse, femicide and other social ills. Photo: AFP/RAJESH JANTILAL

The murder of a university student in South Africa has led to national soul searching and debate over violence against women. Africa Check summarises the available research on the issue. 

01:52 | 3 September 2019 (GMT)

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  • crime
  • Femicide
  • murder

No research backs widely shared statistic about gun ownership risk in South Africa

A young man passes a gun to another man in July 2016 in a Mongrels gang stronghold in Hanover Park, Cape Town. Photo: RODGER BOSCH/AFP

Claim

You are four times more likely to have your gun used against you than be able to use it successfully in self-defence.
Source: Gun Safe Cities, July 2019

unproven

Verdict

There is no recent, reliable data on the topic.

Read more

08:28 | 1 August 2019 (GMT)

  • crime
  • guns
  • violence

Violence against South Africa’s women, children: verifying claims at a men’s summit

In August 2018 South Africa's deputy president, David Mabuza, officially launched a programme whereby men and boys pledge to eliminate violence against women and children. Photo: GCIS

Claims

Five claims related to violence against women and children
Source: David Mabuza: Takuwani Riime Men’s Summit (August 2018)

checked

Verdict

Three correct, one incorrect and one unproven

Read more

02:48 | 29 August 2018 (GMT)

  • children
  • crime
  • Femicide
  • rape
  • women

No, murder rate for women in South Africa hasn’t spiked by 117%

A man holds a banner during a protest march in June 2018 in Durban against child abuse, femicide and other social ills. Photo: AFP/RAJESH JANTILAL

Claim

The UN estimates 117% rise in killing of women in South Africa since 2015
Source: Al Jazeera’s Inside Story (August 2018)

incorrect

Verdict

117% is from data now withdrawn by Stats SA

Read more

05:01 | 20 August 2018 (GMT)

  • crime
  • gender-based violence
  • women

Does South Africa rank third in the world for online crime, losing R2.2bn a year?

A person works at a computer during the 10th International Cybersecurity Forum in Lille in January 2018. Online crime is a concern in South Africa. Photo: AFP /PHILIPPE HUGUEN

Claim

South Africa has the third highest number of cybercrime victims worldwide, losing about R2.2 billion a year in cyber attacks.
Source: Timeslive (June 2018)

unproven

Verdict

No reliable data exists to support these claims.

Read more

08:23 | 2 August 2018 (GMT)

  • crime
  • economy
  • internet

No way to tell that 70% of Nigerian inmates ‘have never been convicted’

A man arrested for contravening the sharia penal code waits to be taken to prison after a hearing in Bauchi in August 2007. Photo: AFP/PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

Claim

About 70% of the people in Nigerian prisons have never been convicted of any crime
Source:
ThisDay newspaper (March 2018)

unproven

Verdict

Prisons service doesn’t have data on how many have been guilty of another crime before

Read more

12:00 | 23 April 2018 (GMT)

  • crime
  • prisons

SA’s serial murder & rape ‘ranking’ not supported by data

Members of the South African police investigate one of four female bodies- suspected to be the work of a serial killer - found south of Durban in August 2003. Photo: AFP/RAJESH JANTILAL

Claim

South Africa ranks among the world’s worst three countries – after the US and Russia – for serial murders and rapes.
Source:
SA Sunday Times newspaper
(March 2018)

unproven

Verdict

No reliable database compares serial murder & rape internationally

Read more

10:53 | 9 April 2018 (GMT)

  • crime

No evidence that a child is kidnapped every 30 seconds in South Africa

Claim

"Every 30 seconds a child is stolen in South Africa"
Source:
Facebook post
(Jan 2018)

incorrect :

Verdict

If true, million children would be kidnapped per year

Read more

11:05 | 31 January 2018 (GMT)

  • children
  • crime
checked

#5facts: SA’s top 2017 numbers

Crime, income, social grants, obesity and migrants. We picked five facts about big South African talking points in 2017.

05:50 | 20 December 2017 (GMT)

3 comments

  • crime
  • health
  • income inequality
  • welfare
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