#CrimeStats: To face the numbers or turn a blind eye?
SAPS released South Africa's new crime stats for 2017/2018, and the numbers are alarming. But are the numbers doing more in terms of giving us anxiety, or is it something that needs to be public knowledge?
Listen to KZN sharing their views on the topic, or read the details under the podcast.
#CrimeStats trended throughout the day, with many South Africans taking to Twitter to express their concern over the figures.
See their reactions below:
I Think Strict Criminal Laws Should Be Put In Place In South Africa. Criminals In This Country Aint Scared Of Jail Hence Crime Has Increased In Every Department.. #CrimeStats
— Jacob (@PhutianeJacob) September 11, 2018
The #CrimeStats released today is really depressing but South Africa is worth saving. We have lots of work to do to #SaveSA 🇿🇦🇿🇦
— Ricardo Mackenzie (@ricardomackenzi) September 11, 2018
South Africa is officially the third most dangerous country in the world..😮😮😮#CrimeStats #CrimeStatistics pic.twitter.com/Hhl2mi3VkQ
— Christopher (@Samuel14122417) September 11, 2018
Every public department in South Africa does not effectively work; from hospitals, to transport, to schools to...to...the list goes on. And now the latest #CrimeStats evidently shows we are living an ever increasingly dangerous society.
— Michael Owen (@MichaelOwenZA) September 11, 2018
Our nation has another long road ahead.
Now that the #CrimeStats have been released . We need to hope for change and persist these bad stats change for the better . We should work together and make out country a better place. Be the change you want to see.
— Manny C (@cmanz1zn) September 11, 2018
May we never get desensitized to the fact that 57 South Africans are murdered & 109 are raped daily. It’s senseless. #CrimeStats
— mo koenaite (@iMoshele) September 11, 2018
Listen as Psychologist Paul Bushell talks about the recent #CrimeStats and how they can affect the minds of South Africans, or read the details under the podcast.
Although many of us don't like to look at these stats out of fear or anxiety, the fact is that we as South Africans are either desensitized to crime, paralysed by fear, or have plans to hit immigration at first light.
I don't like hearing the stats. Sure, you can call me an 'ostrich', but I can't hear you because my head is in the sand. Being a woman in SA is frightening when you look at the rape stats and let's not get into femicide. In actual fact, it's scary being a person in SA regardless of your gender or race.
Read: Newswatch journalist analyses the recent #CrimeStats
What good does it do to release stats about the bad shape we are in? Surely it just perpetuates a combined worry around safety for ourselves and our family?
Read: #CrimeStats 3915 women, children killed in 2017/2018
Do you actually care to know the crime stats or would you much prefer to be oblivious and not have to face what the numbers reveal? Share your thoughts with me below.