South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

Why does South Africa have some the highest rates of violent, predatory crime in the world?

REINE OPPERMAN

-

21.4.2026

South Africans Reject Both West and Anti-West Foreign Policy Alignments

POLLING CORRESPONDENT -

21.4.2026

Inflation Rises as Weak Growth Outlook Weighs on SA

ECONOMICS DESK -

21.4.2026

The Common Sense’s Diary

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

21.4.2026

Why the Woke Right Threatens Everything It Claims to Defend

THE EDITORIAL BOARD -

20.4.2026

DA Calls for More Firearm Prosecutions

POLITICS DESK

- 20.4.2026

Markets Surge as War Fears Fail to Derail Growth

ECONOMICS DESK

- 20.4.2026

Gunboat Diplomacy Overrules Actual Diplomacy in Hormuz

WARWICK GREY

- 20.4.2026

Ramaphosa Attacks US at Global ‘Anti-MAGA’ Summit

FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU

- 20.4.2026

Britain’s Net Zero Delusion

WARWICK GREY

- 20.4.2026

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Zero-Tariff China Access Demands Investment Pivot

In just over two weeks, South African firms will gain zero-tariff access to China’s economy – an opportunity that demands a mindset reorientation from much of the South African business community as well as accelerated policy reform from the government.

SIMON LINCOLN READER

Mr Meyer Goes to Washington

Simon Lincoln Reader writes on South Africa’s new ambassador to the United States.

DANIEL NGWEPE

Meyer Must be an Ambassador for all South Africans

RW JOHNSON

Trump’s Extraordinary Military Budget

TENDAI BITI

Zimbabwe: Who Wants to Be on the Right Side of History?

AN AFRIKANER

From An Afrikaner to an Afrikaner

SHRTS

VIEW ALL

PLLING

VIEW ALL

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Jo'burgers Think DA Will Improve Services

Most people in Johannesburg have faith in the DA to improve services but does that mean they will win the city?

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africans Like Possible DA-ANC Municipal Coalitions

A potential government of local unity between the ANC and DA is popular among South Africans.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Race For Johannesburg Led By DA

DA leads Jo'burg mayoral race.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Faces Wipeout in eThekwini

The party could win less than 10% of the vote in eThekwini, according to latest polling.

MARIUS ROODT

Is South Africa Heading in the Right Direction

Most South Africans Say Country is on the Wrong Track

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Most Pressing Issues for South Africans

A brief overview of the key issues currently affecting South Africa.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Frustration with Ramaphosa's Leadership: Can ANC Strengthen by Replacing Him?

Frustration with Ramaphosa's indecisiveness could strengthen ANC support if the party replaces him with a more decisive, reform-focused leader.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

Motsepe Leads ANC Leadership Race on Favourability

New SRF polling finds Patrice Motsepe has the strongest favourability among three possible ANC leadership contenders, while Mbalula and Mashatile record higher negative ratings.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

ANC Leads DA by 11 Points in Latest Poll

Both the ANC and DA poll at close to their May 2024 vote shares.

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

VIDES

VIEW ALL

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.4.2026

The New Space Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.4.2026

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.4.2026

What To Make Of Geordin Hill-Lewis As The New DA Leader

THE COMMON SENSE

-

20.4.2026

The Story Of South Africa's Greatest Investor

THE COMMON SENSE

-

16.4.2026

The Race For Johannesburg - The Common Sense Plus

THE COMMON SENSE

-

15.4.2026

The New Space Race

THE COMMON SENSE

-

14.4.2026

The ANC's 30 Year Patronage Machine

THE COMMON SENSE

-

12.4.2026

Predatory Crime In SA

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

In this Special Report, The Common Sense explains the origins and the extent of the crime category that South Africans fear the most: predatory crime.

REINE OPPERMAN

-

21.4.2026

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The Nightmare Years - Part II

JAMES MYBURGH

After the Miracle - Part III

JAMES MYBURGH

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

The Nightmare From Which We Have Yet To Wake - Part I

JAMES MYBURGH

The Nightmare Years - Part II

JAMES MYBURGH

After the Miracle - Part III

JAMES MYBURGH

The War on Iran

The War in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Six Scenarios and How They Will Shape the Global Economy

In this Special Report, The Common Sense sets out six detailed scenarios for the war in Iran together with the global and market implications.

FRANS CRONJE

-

20.4.2026

Iran War Outlook Brightens

FOREIGN DESK

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Iran War Outlook Brightens

FOREIGN DESK

Iran and China Face the Biggest Squeeze as Hormuz Crisis Escalates

FOREIGN DESK

What’s Next for Iran After Peace Talks Fail?

NEWS DESK

Ceasefire Talks Risk Strategic Misread as West and Iran Operate by Different Rules

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

PLITICS

VIEW ALL

Special Report: South Africa’s Predatory Crime Problem

In this Special Report, The Common Sense explains the origins and the extent of the crime category that South Africans fear the most: predatory crime.

REINE OPPERMAN

South Africans Reject Both West and Anti-West Foreign Policy Alignments

POLLING CORRESPONDENT

South Africa's Crime Catastrophe Didn't Just Happen. It Was Made

REINE OPPERMAN

DA Calls for More Firearm Prosecutions

POLITICS DESK

Special Report Launch on Predatory Crime: The Criminals Who Hunt South Africans

REINE OPPERMAN

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW

Sign up to receive

The Common Sense

daily mailer

Our sharpest stories, straight to your inbox.

LISTEN NOW

GLBAL

VIEW ALL

Gunboat Diplomacy Overrules Actual Diplomacy in Hormuz

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran has come under renewed strain after a series of conflicting Iranian directives and escalating naval incidents around the Strait of Hormuz.

WARWICK GREY