In 1994 when South Africa became a democracy the murder rate stood at 67/100 000. This means that there were 67 murders in the country in that year for every 100 000 people in the country. That number fell steadily to reach 31/100 000 in 2011 and 2012 but rose sharply over recent years to stand at 45/100 000.

The rate is considerably higher than global norms.

A United Nations estimate suggested that the world faces an intentional homicide rate of around 5/100 00. The number in Africa is nearer 10/100 000 whilst that for Europe and Asia is closer to 2/100 000.

High levels of serious and violent crime have seen many South African communities turn to private security companies that have often been very successful in securing certain suburbs and residential estates often reducing violent crime levels to European and Asian norms.

Security experts who spoke to The Common Sense say that expanding the expertise and professionalism of the private security into the public sector is a policy shift that may help South Africa to quickly reduce serious and violent crime levels especially where private forensic facilities are empowered to work with the police and prosecutors to gather evidence from crime scenes.