Think reporting a housebreaking is pointless? So do most South Africans - EWN

It's a dismal reflection of the confidence (or lack thereof) that South Africans have in the police service, as many of us do not report housebreakings because we believe the police will not do anything.

Stats SA’s latest Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey found that around 1.5 million housebreaking incidents took place in 2025/26, affecting just over one million households.

But of that number, less than half (only 48.2%) were reported to SAPS.

Speaking to CapeTalk’s John Maytham, criminologist Dr Guy Lamb said that lack of confidence was understandable, with relatively few reported housebreaking cases eventually reaching court.

“The going to court and convictions are very low.”

Lamb said many people only reported a break-in when they needed a police case number for an insurance claim.

"From the public's point of view, reporting the matter to the police is largely driven by insurance considerations. So if you are insured and the value of the goods is high and you want them replaced, you report it. I think for many South Africans that surround this is an additional administrative task that needs to be undertaken and a sort of view that it's unlikely to achieve results."