A fall in business robberies over the past decade could indicate rising levels of extortion and organised crime.
Those convening the national dialogue promised by President Ramaphosa could learn from the innovative Violence Prevention Forum.
Positive change is possible but requires ethical leadership from the new cabinet and a shared vision for a peaceful future.
Drawing on years of research, these priority measures can help the South African Police Service fulfil its constitutional mandate.
Improving public safety in South Africa is only possible with a stronger, more focused police service.
Crime Statistics / View South African crime information and trends at national, provincial and local levels, compare different types and rates of crimes, and review relevant Census information.
Protest and Public Violence Monitor / View incidents of public protest and violence, including politically motivated crimes, captured by the ISS Protest and Public Violence Monitoring Project since 2013.
Professional Policing / The ISS is committed to reviewing conduct by police officers with a view to developing a more professional South African Police Service (SAPS).
Evidence-based policing / Read ISS research on the need for improved policing through evidence-based interventions and accountability measures, and explore our SAPS performance monitoring tool.
Prosecutions / View ISS research relating to the National Prosecuting Authority and the functioning of the criminal justice system.
Violence Prevention / Violence Prevention gathers information of the impact of violence in South Africa and how to prevent it through evidence-based programmes and interventions.
Corruption / The ISS works to assist government in implementing necessary criminal justice reforms to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption, our research can be viewed here.
Criminal Justice Performance / The ISS seeks to promote the rule of law in South Africa, and runs a project to understand and improve prosecutions in South Africa.
Analysis / The Crime Hub is a regularly updated, user-friendly, web-based source for credible information and analysis on crime, violence and the functioning of the criminal justice system in South Africa.