South Africa - Crime and Community Action 1996-1997

In response to the establishment and controversial actions of the organisation "People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (PAGAD)", during 1996 and 1997 IDASA's Public Opinion Service undertook a two- year study of citizen action against crime on the Cape flats. The study focuses principally on the dynamics which led to the rise of PAGAD in the Western Cape. It examines people’s perceptions of crime, their evaluations of the police and courts and their willingness to co-operate with these institutions. It also examined the attitudes of people to the law and to PAGAD, as well as their willingness to take various forms of legal and illegal collective action to combat crime. The survey collects background data on respondents, including age, gender, occupation, highest level of education, monthly household income, religion, and language. Public opinion data collected includes types of crime in the respondents' neighbourhoods, perceptions of crime and safety, experience of crime, and views on criminals, police, and courts.