The 2024 Violence Survey reveals a startling connection between community violence and workplace productivity in South Africa. With 46% of corporates reporting violence as a major factor in employee absenteeism, and 81% of community members perceiving an increase in violence due to rising living costs, the survey exposed the far-reaching consequences of this pervasive scourge.
The Violence Survey was presented by RCS in partnership with BNP Paribas and the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI). It revealed that 46% of corporate respondents reported that community violence was a major contributing factor to employee absenteeism in the country.
The survey conducted by KLA a market research agency, further showed that 81% of community members feel violence has increased due to the rising cost of living.
During the survey, 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 were interviewed and hopes to find solutions.
In the Western Cape, communities such as Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain, Philippi, Hanover Park, Manenberg, Salt River, Table View and as far as Caledon were interviewed to gain perspective on the critical ripple effect that violence has on communities and the business sector, employees and the employers.
In Gauteng, areas such as Alexandra, Soweto, Tembisa and Midrand were the focal points while in KZN, Umlazi to Durban, Greyton and Newlands were reviewed. In another shocking revelation, the survey revealed that due to violence and its impact on livelihoods, 51% reported a loss of income, with 54% being males, who are breadwinners.
Sandi Richardson, Human Resources Executive at RCS said the survey illustrates how violence affects lives and how this disruption presents within a business context. She said that in terms of support given for employers dealing with gender-based violence victims in the workplace, they had seen the numbers increase in 2024.
She also noted that almost half of the corporate respondents (46%) reported that community violence was a major contributing factor to employee absenteeism.
“Sixty-seven percent of corporates said that absenteeism hampered business productivity,” she explained. Twenty-five percent of corporates said that absenteeism hampered employee career growth.
Richardson also noted a 10% decline in the number of corporations actively taking steps to assist employees living in violent areas (from 72% in 2023 to 62% in 2024).
She said 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. With access to an on site clinic, a dedicated counsellor, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, we provide continuous care.
Siphathisiwe Dhlamini, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Expert at WPDI said 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.”
He highlighted 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.
“Reports of verbal abuse, threats of violence, and the destruction of property all declined.
“There was 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.”
Dhlamini also showcased 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 - all due to the impact of violence.
“The survey demonstrates that violence continues to impact livelihoods and well-being in 2024, with a significant rise in loss of income or jobs 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.”
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative was founded in 2012 by actor, social activist, SDGs Advocate, and UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation Forest Whitaker and aims to promote the values of peace, reconciliation, and social development within communities impacted by conflict and violence.
Clayton Williams, Cape BPO CEO said in an Overview of SA crime stats and landscape, that South Africa ranked 127th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index 2024.
CapeBPO (business process outsourcing) is the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s strategic business partner responsible for the growth and development of the BPO industry.
“In terms of the economic cost of violence, South Africa ranks 12th with an economic cost of violence as a percentage of GDP sitting at 15.38%.
“We have a relatively young population with the average age just below 27.
“As a country South Africa continues to grapple with constrained economic growth, high levels of unemployment and poverty, with the highest Gini-coefficient in the world with 0.63.”
Jenni Pennacchini, Business Solutions Director at KLA, used research methodology which showcased how they used methodology utilising corporates and communities, with close 500 people interviewed across the spectrum and targeted people who lived in high risk suburbs and added it was important to get a balanced representation.
She said they surveyed 53 % women and 47% men and that they would continue with the flash ship in the hopes of finding solutions.