SA’s crime crisis spurs innovative tech solutions for personal safety

With the fifth-highest crime rate globally, South Africans grapple with life-threatening risks on a daily basis. According to a recent Stats SA report, crime continues to escalate, with nearly 65% of citizens stating they do not feel safe walking alone in their communities at night.

While the dire statistics paint a bleak picture, advancements in citizen-centred technology are emerging as vital tools that can enhance public safety efforts and provide an added layer of protection.

Shaun Kirk, Tracker Managing Executive for Sayf, highlights a growing trend of personal safety and family tracking applications that have surfaced in response to increasing violence.

“Interpersonal violence inflicts serious physical and psychological damage and causes fatalities worldwide. The repercussions extend beyond the individual victim, affecting society at large and destabilising sectors such as healthcare and the criminal justice system,” he said.

However, Kirk notes that rapid advancements in technology, combined with soaring mobile penetration rates, are creating an opportune environment for personal safety mobile apps. These can serve as valuable resources for averting violence and alleviate pressure on law enforcement authorities.

The global personal safety app market, valued at $1.5 billion (R25.9bn) in 2024, is projected to grow by 15.5%, reaching $5.2bn by 2033, reinforcing the increasing necessity and effectiveness of these applications.

In South Africa, smartphone adoption is remarkably high, with the 2023 General Household Survey indicating that 96% of households own at least one mobile phone. This statistic signals a considerable opportunity for safety-focused applications to reach the citizens who require them the most.

Furthermore, a recent Stats SA report illustrates a notable shift in public sentiment; the percentage of South Africans taking active measures to protect themselves against crime grew from 39.9% in 2023/2024 to 43.3% in 2024/2025.

“In today’s world, everyone is exposed to risk, and our foremost concern is the safety of our loved ones. Personal safety applications like Sayf offer reassurance to South Africans, providing proactive tools to anticipate and mitigate risks. Because, ultimately, nothing is more important than family,” concludes Kirk.