BUSINESS NEWS - RCS, in partnership with BNP Paribas and the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), has released the findings of its 2024 Violence Survey, revealing increasing concerns around personal safety and deepening violence across the country’s communities.

Launched in 2020, the survey aims to explore the impact of violence on vulnerable communities and its effect on business operations in South Africa. 

To this end, two groups were surveyed: individuals from violence-affected communities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, as well as South African corporates across a wide range of sectors, including services, construction, retail, hospitality, financial services, and manufacturing.

“With the survey now in its fifth year, we can draw rich insights and identify trends in the data; acting as a yardstick to show how patterns of violence continue to shift and evolve. The survey illustrates how violence affects lives and how this disruption presents within a business context,” says Sandi Richardson, HR Executive at RCS.

The impact of violence on communities 

Siphathisiwe Dhlamini, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Expert at WPDI says that 2024 saw a decrease in the number of crimes, but an increase in the severity of violence. “The Violence Survey findings mirror the Q1 2024 crime statistics published by SAPS, which show that extreme violence has become more prevalent.”

Dhlamini highlights key take-outs from the 2024 Violence Survey:

• Incidences of being threatened with a weapon rose from 57% in 2023 to 62% in 2024.
• Incidences of being physically attacked and injured increased from 51% in 2023 to 53% in 2024.
• There was also an alarming jump in reported kidnappings and abductions, from 11% in 2023 to 16% in 2024, with a higher prevalence in the Western Cape.
• 82% percent of respondents reported feeling unsafe in their community while 81% percent felt that violence had increased due to the rising cost of living.
• Concerningly, 36% of respondents claimed to never feel safe in 2024 – double those in 2020 (18%).

In terms of positive developments, the survey found that reports of verbal abuse, threats of violence, and the destruction of property all declined. The survey also saw a 2% decrease from 2023 in the impact of violence on respondents' physical or mental ability to do their jobs effectively, as well as a 6% decrease in the effects of violence on general psychological distress.

The impact of violence on lives and livelihoods

When it comes to how violence affects livelihoods, Dhlamini says that the survey assessed four key areas: loss of income or a job; being late for work, school or tertiary education; being absent from work, school or tertiary education; and being physically or mentally hindered in one’s ability to perform within the workplace.

“The survey demonstrates that violence continues to impact livelihoods and well-being in 2024, with a significant rise in loss of income or job reported by over half of the respondents (51%) as a result of their experience with violence – a 12% increase when compared to 2023.”

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue, with 46% of respondents reported to have experienced GBV in 2024. The prevalence of GBV is significantly higher among women, with 53% of female respondents affected compared to 38% of men.

“Tackling GBV requires a strategic, targeted intervention involving multiple stakeholders across society. However, this is especially urgent in the workplace, where only 54% of women feel their employer offers them sufficient support. Men also expressed concerns about how violence affects their income and job security,” says Dhlamini.

The impact of violence on business 

The ripple effects of violence continue to constrain corporate South Africa, highlights Richardson:

• Almost half the corporate respondents (46%) reported that community violence was a major contributing factor to employee absenteeism.
• 67% of corporates said that absenteeism hampered business productivity.
• 25% of corporates said that absenteeism hampered employee career growth.

However, there were notable decreases in the number of corporates who believed that community violence impacts employee presenteeism, well-being, and career growth. “This softening may suggest that the impact is being underestimated or that businesses are adapting.”

Richardson noted a 10% decline in the number of corporates actively taking steps to assist employees living in violent areas (from 72% in 2023 to 62% in 2024). She caveats this by saying that while businesses might claim to be doing less, many maintain consistent initiatives focused on staff transport, accommodation, and counselling – with a notable increase in psychological and emotional support. 

"RCS is committed to the well-being and safety of our employees. We provide safe transport options during times when public transportation may pose risks, ensuring our team members can travel with peace of mind. Our comprehensive wellness program is a cornerstone of our support, offering assistance to those affected by violence—whether directly or indirectly. 

"With access to an onsite clinic, a dedicated counsellor, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, we provide continuous care. We also prioritize mental health awareness, regularly educating our teams on available resources. At RCS, we stand by our employees and their families during difficult times, offering them a sanctuary of support as they rebuild their lives."

October is Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa, with a focus on raising public awareness, educating communities, fostering understanding, and encouraging open conversations around mental well-being. Violence causes psychological distress, and effects the mental health of its victims.

Richardson concludes: “Through initiatives such as the Violence Survey, RCS – together with our partners BNP Paribas and WPDI – strives to gain a deeper understanding of the societal issues plaguing South Africa. With the support and collaboration of all stakeholders, we can use this knowledge to tackle these problems, resulting in a safer South Africa for all.”

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