(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A vast majority of people in South Africa feel the country has turned more violent, according to a poll by ACNielsen. 75 per cent of respondents say the level of criminal activity has increased over the past year.

Thabo Mbeki replaced Nelson Mandela as South Africa's president after the 1999 general election, where the African National Council (ANC) received 66.4 per cent of the vote. Mbeki led the ANC to a second majority government in April 2004, with 69.68 per cent of all cast ballots and 279 lawmakers in the 400-seat National Assembly.

In his February state of the nation address, Mbeki said the fight against crime is a priority for his government and pledged to modernize and boost the number of police officers, adding, "Certainly, we cannot erase that which is ugly and repulsive and claim the happiness that comes with freedom if communities live in fear, closeted behind walls and barbed wire, ever anxious in their houses, on the streets and on our roads, unable freely to enjoy our public spaces."

On May 14, following a meeting with the International Investment Council—in which South Africa's preparations to host the 2010 World Cup were discussed—Mbeki talked about the nation's global reputation as a violent country. The president said there was a need to disaggregate crime figures because "you do not get the correct impression." Mbeki said 76 per cent of murders were domestic, which "speaks to a social crisis and family dysfunctionality" rather than random street crime.

Polling Data

Would you say the level of criminal activity in South Africa has increased, stayed the same, or decreased over the past year?

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