Men are the key in curbing the spread of HIV, reducing the violence and abuse that plagues our country and in the promotion of child and community wellbeing. Given TAI’s excellent track record in male focussed projects and the obvious necessity for such projects, TAI will continue to invest in the development and improvement of masculinities projects.

“On Saturday, 1 November 2008, the Carnarvon SAPS arrested an 18-year-old man for the alleged rape, indecent assault and assault of a 10-year old girl, her 75-year old grandmother and 54-year old disabled uncle. On Friday, 31 October 2008, at approximately 21:15, there were a knock on the door of the victims. The uncle went to investigate but found that the door have been opened already. The accused was already in the house, armed with a brick and a knife. The accused forced the victims to the bedroom. He threatened the victims that he will kill them. The accused assaulted the grandmother and raped her. The accused then assault the girl indecently. The uncle could not help them, because he is disabled.”¹

men and crime in south africa

analysis of current incarcerations rates²

It is very important to note the high level of young people (29.94%, n=34529) and men (97.84%, n=112835) that are currently sentenced and incarcerated by the Department of Correctional Services. Of the crimes committed the vast majority are aggressive. There are an almost equal number of women sentenced for economic and violent crimes. However, 62775 male inmates committed violent crimes and only 24669 committed economic crimes.

This is an analysis of incarceration rates as at the end of September 2008 and excludes Awaiting Trial Detainees.

Awaiting Trial Detainees (ATD) contribute the following statistics:

Although women do commit crimes, by far the main perpetrators are male of both the youth and adult age groups.

analysis of reported serious crime in 2007/2008³

* The implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Act 32 of 2007 on 16 December 2007 resulted in changes to the definitions of certain sexual offences (inter alia providing for male rape, which was previously recorded under indecent assault). This has an impact on the statistics pertaining to sexual offences. The statistics reflected in the table above with regard to rape and indecent assault thus only have bearing on the period April to December of the different financial years under review to allow for some sort of comparison.

According the above statistics, serious violent crimes (murder, rape, attempted murder, assault GBH, common assault and indecent assault: n = 488 388) are more prevalent than serious economic crimes (robbery with aggravating circumstances, common robbery, carjacking, robbery at residential premises: n = 211 979). From this it could be inferred that, despite South Africa’s high level of poverty, the vast majority of crimes that cause physical and emotional harm and are punishable by incarceration are not motivated by economic reasons.