A groundbreaking new study has exposed a profound crisis of confidence in South Africa's criminal justice system, with public trust plummeting to an alarming baseline score of just 4 out of 100. Released in early 2026 by the non-profit Action Society, the Criminal Justice Trust Indicator (CJS-TI) draws from over 2,000 anonymized survey responses collected via their website, painting a stark picture of widespread disillusionment. This metric assesses perceptions across four key dimensions: the availability of justice, personal experiences of justice outcomes, perceptions of impunity for offenders, and systemic delays. Respondents overwhelmingly expressed the view that the system fails to deliver meaningful consequences, leading to fears of underreporting and vigilante justice. As South Africa grapples with persistently high crime rates—despite some recent declines—this research underscores the urgent need for reforms to restore legitimacy and deterrence.

🔍 Unpacking the Methodology Behind the CJS-TI

The CJS-TI is designed as a repeatable baseline tool to track public perceptions over time, focusing on lived experiences rather than official statistics. Action Society, an apolitical organization dedicated to supporting crime victims, gathered responses from 2,057 self-selected participants who completed a concise online survey. Questions zeroed in on core perceptions: Is there justice for crime in South Africa? Have you received justice personally in the past 20 years? Do criminals get away with serious offenses? Where do delays originate—police, courts, or both? And for those who did receive justice, how long did it take?

While not nationally representative due to its online, opt-in nature, the survey's near-unanimous clustering at the low-trust end (e.g., 96.4% saying no justice exists) signals a consensus on systemic failure. Qualitative responses revealed recurring themes: absent follow-up after reporting, stalled dockets, endless postponements, and administrative closures without accountability. The composite score of 4/100 was derived from these dimensions, providing a quantifiable benchmark for future monitoring.

• Near-total agreement on lack of justice (96.4% 'No').
• 90.9% report no personal justice in two decades.
• Median resolution time: 24 months among successes.

This approach highlights perception as a vital performance indicator, as public cooperation is essential for effective policing and prosecution.

Key Findings: A System on the Brink

The study's headline statistic—a trust score of 4/100—captures a collapse driven by perceived impunity, with 98% believing serious criminals escape consequences. Even among the slim 5.9% who reported receiving justice (n=121), broader faith remained shattered: 88.4% still saw no general justice, and 97.5% perceived impunity. Delays were blamed on the entire pipeline, with 85.4% citing both South African Police Service (SAPS) and courts.

Free-text narratives painted a grim picture: victims receive only an SMS acknowledgment, then silence; investigations fizzle; trials drag for years amid postponements. For researchers in criminology and social sciences, these insights align with procedural justice theory, where fair treatment and timely outcomes build legitimacy.Aspiring academics in this field can explore career paths to contribute solutions.

Historical Trends: Echoes from Academic Research

The CJS-TI amplifies long-standing concerns documented by South African universities and research bodies. A 2025 Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) analysis, drawing from surveys since 1998, revealed trust in police at a 27-year low, with only 22% expressing confidence amid rising crime victimization. Afrobarometer's 2021 data showed 53% distrusting courts—a first-time majority—worse among the poor and less educated.

University-led studies, such as those from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Stellenbosch University partnering with Afrobarometer, link low trust to procedural unfairness, corruption scandals, and inefficacy. A Springer publication examined police satisfaction among university students, finding effectiveness and ethical leadership as key drivers. These academic contributions emphasize that trust erosion predates recent crises, rooted in post-apartheid challenges like resource shortages and politicization.

In South Africa's vibrant higher education sector, criminology departments at institutions like UCT and Wits continue to lead empirical research informing policy.

Intersecting with Soaring Crime Realities

Despite some Q3 2025/26 declines—murders down 8.7% to 6,351 (about 70 daily), contact crimes -6.7%—absolute levels remain catastrophic. Experts note low conviction rates exacerbate perceptions of impunity. The Democratic Alliance highlighted that without prosecutions, citizens become 'the last line of defense,' risking vigilantism.

Academic analyses from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), often collaborating with universities, warn that underreporting—fueled by distrust—distorts stats, creating a false sense of progress. For social scientists, this underscores the need for victim surveys over police data alone.

Photo by David Trinks on Unsplash

Root Causes: Corruption, Delays, and Impunity

Respondents pinpointed a 'broken pipeline': poor SAPS investigations (7.3%), court backlogs (4.5%), and joint failures (85.4%). Corruption allegations, including within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), have eroded faith, as noted in Human Rights Watch's 2026 report. University researchers attribute this to underfunding, overload (e.g., 200,000+ awaiting trial), and political interference.

• Communication voids: No updates post-report.
• Stalled dockets: Lost or incomplete files.
• Postponements: Years of delays erode hope.
• No consequences: Administrative drops without recourse.

These mirror findings in procedural justice studies from SA academics, advocating voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives.Research roles in justice reform are crucial here.

Stakeholder Reactions and Government Reforms

Action Society's Juanita du Preez called it a 'constitutional crisis,' urging measurable fixes over rhetoric: 'Trust is the oxygen of governance.' President Ramaphosa's 2026 SONA pledged NPA bolstering via the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and police collaboration.

Judges Matter deems 2026 'decisive' for accountability, with Judiciary Act implementation for self-managed budgets. Yet critics, including DA and PSA, demand multi-sector action amid persistent violence.

Academic Perspectives: The Role of University Research

South African universities are pivotal in dissecting this crisis. HSRC, with ties to UCT and others, tracks police trust declines, recommending interventions like community policing. Procedural justice research from Stellenbosch and Wits shows fair processes boost cooperation 20-30%. A 2025 Springer study on student views stresses ethical leadership.

Emerging work explores AI for docket tracking or predictive analytics, positioning higher ed as reform incubators. For scholars, rate my professor platforms highlight experts in criminology.

Proposed Solutions: A 12-Month Reform Roadmap

The CJS-TI outlines actionable steps: mandatory case updates, docket traceability, 30-day triage, transparent NPA decisions, backlog controls, victim standards, and whistleblower protections. Experts advocate procedural justice training, specialized courts, and tech integration.Read the full report for details.

• Implement victim feedback loops.
• Audit high-crime dockets quarterly.
• Cap postponements at 3 per case.
• Boost NPA capacity via specialized training.

International models, like Australia's trust metrics, offer blueprints, adaptable via SA academic collaborations.

Implications and Future Outlook

Low trust risks a vicious cycle: fewer reports inflate impunity perceptions, breeding community justice. Yet, with SONA commitments and university-led monitoring, 2026 could pivot toward recovery. Ongoing CJS-TI waves, alongside HSRC/Afrobarometer, will gauge progress. For higher ed, this crisis spotlights demand for criminology, law, and policy experts—explore university jobs or career advice.

Restoring faith demands political will, resources, and evidence-based tweaks. As du Preez notes, 'Certainty deters crime'—a mantra for reformers. South Africa's resilient academia stands ready to guide this transformation.Afrobarometer courts trust analysis.

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

Call to Action: Engage with Justice Research

Academics and professionals, contribute to solutions via research or policy roles. Check Rate My Professor for insights on justice educators, higher ed jobs in social sciences, and career advice for impactful paths. Share your views in comments below—how can universities amplify reform voices?