Is South Africa one of the most dangerous and violent countries on earth? As a South African, I am sure you can answer that question. But we went digging and according to the 2019 Global Peace Index, it seems South Africa needs a hug and to calm down.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness.
This index is rather thorough and covers 97% of the world’s population 23 qualitative and quantitive indicators from reputable sources. Sounds legit.
The state of peace in an area is determined using three thematic domains, which are:
- The level of a society’s safety and security
- The extent of domestic and international conflict
- The degree of militarisation
So, using this formula, where does South Africa stand among the 163 areas ranked in the GPI?
South Africa scraps in at a dismal 127th place. Read on it gets better.
So how low are we on the list you ask? Well, let’s just say war-torn Angola clinches 77th position and everyone’s example of a hardcore place, Rwanda takes 79th on the list. Now hold onto your hats, ladies and gentlemen, Haiti also ranks as a more peaceful country than South Africa, coming in 87th place.
While this might seem horrific to many, South Africa ranks higher than the “all perfect” USA which sits at a terrible 128th place on the list and our fellow African country to the north, Zimbabwe takes the 132nd position followed by Israel which comes in at 146th place.
But why is South Africa considered one of the most dangerous and violent countries in the world?
It is believed the recent political killings in KwaZulu-Natal and service delivery protests are major contributing factors to South Africa sliding down the list.
With South Africa classified as one of the least safe countries in the world, which countries are considered the safest?
Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal and Austria take the four top spots, with even the up and coming Czech Republic making it to the top 10.
With South Africa ranking so low on the GPI, what are your thoughts? How do you feel South Africa can move up in the rankings? Share your views and thoughts with us in the comment section below.
5 Responses
Consider farm murders and see where we end then. Bugger political murders……
South Africa needs a more efficient Police Force and better Laws in favor of the Victims of Crime, not Laws to protect the Criminals.
South Africa also need more efficient Court Systems.
Shortage of Prisons and Overcrowding needs to be solved.
South Africa is run by gang mentality. To gain acceptance by the majority gang you have to prove yourself worthy by perpetrating terrible crimes. Therefor the criminals are protected by the gang leaders. The innocent, law abiding citizens who are just trying to survive are treated as criminals when confronted by crime. The daily fear factor of living in South Africa has become normal. We inprison ourselves behind electric fences, security bars, cctv camaras and pay a fortune to be guarded by independent security companies. Leaving your prison (with its false sense of security) leaves you vulnerable to random acts of violence. Hi-jacking, muggings, abductions, rape and murder. Please note that none of the above is deemed to be political violence. It’s just every day life. Going to work to earn a living to pay your dues. To survive.
South Africa has become a joke, we are nowhere safe, farm murders, people being murdered in their homes, rape etc, etc, you cannot go out anymore at night the list goes on, that is why everyone wants to leave and also why everyone is leaving, the economy has gone down the gutter , it is just such a horrible depressing country to live in. I feel so sorry for people who do not have the money to immigrate. And it does not just affect one color the crime in this country affects us all. Look what is going on currently on in the Cape, it is just so sad over 1800 lives lost, indeed a very sad day every day in South Africa, and yet the government does nothing.
The answer to South Africa’s problems is to change the criminal government. Then fire most of the police force and recruit real policemen.
It is clear though that the ANC will not be voted out. South Africans need to come up with a viable alternative. Sadly the only viable alternative seems to be to overthrow the government by force.