A MURDEROUS LEGACY

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines homicide trends in South Africa, focusing specifically on the coloured population, which has historically experienced the highest murder rates in the country. The analysis explores the demographics of victims and perpetrators, the shift in weaponry from knives to firearms, and the socio-economic drivers of violence, including gang activity and alcohol abuse.

• South Africa's homicide rate is significantly higher than that of other countries that record crime statistics. In 2002, the national homicide rate was 48 per 100,000 people, compared to 21 per 100,000 in Russia, 19 per 100,000 in Brazil, and 5.6 per 100,000 in the USA.
• The coloured population has consistently had the highest murder rate of all race groups in South Africa for as long as accurate records have existed. Since 1980, this rate has exceeded 60 murders per 100,000. The violence is heavily gendered; prior to 1994, the coloured male homicide rate peaked at over 160 per 100,000 in 1982 and has remained above 80 per 100,000 since 1980, while the female rate stayed between 20 and 40 per 100,000.
• Homicide was the primary cause of death for coloured males aged 16 to 30 between 1982 and 1990, accounting for nearly half of all deaths in that demographic. For coloured females, homicide caused over 20% of all deaths.
• There has been a significant shift in the weapons used in homicides within the coloured community. Before 1990, firearms were used in less than 5% of murders, with knives being the predominant weapon. Recent mortuary reports indicate that firearm use has risen to 41%, making guns as likely to be used as knives.
• The Northern and Western Cape provinces, where the coloured population is the majority, recorded the highest rates of murder, attempted murder, and assault in 2002. Specifically, the rates of assault with grievous bodily harm in 2002 were 1,365 in the Northern Cape and 823 in the Western Cape, both exceeding the national average of 582.
• High levels of violence in the coloured community are attributed to several intersecting factors: the normalization of violence within 'subcultures' and gangs (particularly in the Western Cape), a history of socio-economic marginalization (unemployment, inadequate housing, and health care), and chronic alcohol abuse, which was historically encouraged by the 'dop system' of paying wine farm workers in alcohol.
• Most homicides in South Africa are intra-racial and committed by individuals known to the victim. Politically motivated crimes, which were more common prior to 1994, accounted for a maximum of 20% of homicides during that period.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (2004). A MURDEROUS LEGACY. https://issafrica.org/01-mar-2004-sacq-no-7/a-murderous-legacy

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. A MURDEROUS LEGACY. 2004. https://issafrica.org/01-mar-2004-sacq-no-7/a-murderous-legacy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=A MURDEROUS LEGACY |date=1 March 2004 |url=https://issafrica.org/01-mar-2004-sacq-no-7/a-murderous-legacy |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudies2004murderous, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{A MURDEROUS LEGACY}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2004}, month = mar, url = {https://issafrica.org/01-mar-2004-sacq-no-7/a-murderous-legacy}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }