NCJ Number
202349
Editor(s)
Anna Alvazzi del Frate,
Joachim Bule,
John van Kesteren,
Angela Patrignani
Date Published
2003
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This document presents the results of two surveys on victimization and police performance in Mozambique.
Abstract
Data collection was from August 5 to 20, 2002. The sample consisted of 2,851 rural and urban males (58 percent) and females (42 percent) from age 16. Five hundred ninety-seven police and 480 public employees self-administered the survey. Comparative analysis was possible with data collected through the same methodology in six countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in 2000-2001. Victimization rates in Mozambique were quite high but at similar levels as those observed in the SADC region through the same methodology. Rates of reporting to the police for all types of crime were low and below the average for the SADC region. While property crime was more frequent in cities, rates of violent crime were similar in urban and rural areas. This suggests that crime in large cities is opportunity-driven and could be prevented through better target protection. Although official availability of arms is very low, many crimes were committed by using firearms. The majority of the victims were not satisfied with the police action. The use of victim support agencies, either public or private, was very rare although its services were useful to victims. The majority of the victims never recovered the stolen goods. Most victims agreed that the incidents they reported were considered a crime. These incidents included thefts (vehicles and accessories, motorcycles, bicycles, livestock), vandalism in vehicles, corruption, and sexual offenses. In general, crimes that were committed by several offenders in the neighborhood and crimes that involved the use of firearms were considered the most serious. There was a strong difference between the opinion of police officers about how they do their job and that of the opinion of the citizens. The problem of crime was seen as dynamic, with different perceptions in the distinct provinces. Police officials considered the lack of employment as one of the most important causes of crime. Corruption in public offices existed. Better salaries and equipment are needed to improve work satisfaction and police efficiency. Appendix