Homicide trends in Mthatha area of South Africa between 1993 and 2005

Abstract

Background: Absolute poverty and income inequality may foment violence in societies through many mechanisms. Poor people are highly subjected to exploitation and manioulations by those more powerful than they. Poor are vulnerable as victims as well as perperators of crime.
Objective: To study the trends in homicides in Mthatha area of South Africa.
Method: A record review 5,583 medico-legal autopsies in Mthatha General Hospital of those who were murdered between 1993 and 2005.
Results: During the 13 year period 12063 autopsies were perfomed on those who died following trauma and other unnatural deaths. Of this 5583 (46%), were homicides. The average homicide-deaths during this period was 107/100 000 of the population per year. The rate increased from 94/100 000 in 1993 to 133/100 000 in 2005. Firearm-related deaths were 48/100 000, stabs 35/100 000, and burnt (assault) 25/100 000 pe year.
The trend of gunshot related homicides has increased from 27/100 000 in 1993 to 42/100 000 in 2005. Stab related homicides has also increased from 42/100 000 in 1993 to 53 in 2005, and assult by blunt objects increased from 25/100 000 to 38/100 000in the same period. Males (82%) outnumbered frmails 5.1:1, although there is an increasing incidence among females. About 50% of these deaths were in the 21 - 40 - year age group.
Conclusion: THere has been an increasing trend of homicides in Mthatha area of South Africa. To a certain extent poverty has contributed to causation of these deaths.