Crime and unemployment in South Africa; revisiting an established causality: Evidence from the Kwazulu Natal Province

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of unemployment on the rate of crime in South Africa with reference to Richards Bay and Empangeni communities in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. Unemployment is considered to be the root cause of many problems South Africa is facing today such as crime, poverty and suicide. Crime in particular, acts as a symptom of deeper socio-political issues in South Africa. Using a survey design, data was collected from a sample of 110 respondents. The respondents consisted of 60 unemployed participants, 20 experts on crime control and labour issues as well as 30 convicts. The results of the study showed that the low level of education is responsible for the high rate of unemployment and bears a direct relationship with the high rate of crime. In the light of the findings of the study, it was recommended that there is a need for educational programmes aimed at reducing vulnerability to crime and the need for special job creation projects and skills training programmes.