Pmburg tops global crime perception index, sparking mixed reactions

PIETERMARITZBURG has been ranked as the city with the highest perceived crime levels in the world, according to the latest international crime index published by global data platform Numbeo.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

Other South African cities dominated the upper reaches of the global list.

The KwaZulu-Natal capital took first place with a crime index score of 82.8, placing it ahead of Pretoria, which ranked second with a score of 81.8. Venezuela ranked third (81.4) and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea fourth (81.3). Johannesburg was next with 80.8, followed by Durban (80.4), Honduras (79.4), Gqeberha (78.6), Memphis in the US (78.5) and El Salvador in Brazil (76.5). Cape Town ranked 16th (73.7).

According to Numbeo, “very high” concern levels were recorded in areas where there were home burglaries, muggings, car theft, break-ins, violent crimes including assault, and the risk of being physically attacked because of skin colour, ethnic origin, gender or religion. Respondents also expressed high concern about drug dealing, corruption and bribery.

The index further showed low perceptions of safety when walking alone during both the day and at night.

The ranking has drawn mixed reactions from Pietermaritzburg residents and community leaders, with some disputing the findings and others saying the results reflect lived realities.

Maureen Govender, chairperson of the Cleland and Meadows Ratepayers Association, questioned the credibility of the data.

“I do not know where they got those stats from. We are not the highest crime city globally. When I saw the stats, I was shocked because we do not have many violent crime incidents. These stats seem to be an international standard not set by us.”

Govender said she believed drugs, drinking and driving, and vagrancy were the city’s biggest crime challenges, rather than violent crime.