The Transition, Health and Urbanization in South Africa study (THUSA) was undertaken between 1996 and 1999 with the focus on the effect of urbanization on the general health status of the African population. Highlights drawn from the questionnaire include: (1) crime affects every individual in all communities and 53 percent of respondents confirmed that they had encountered crime in one form or another; (2) crime has physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and economic consequences which traumatize people at various levels; (3) poverty, unemployment, inequality, and ignorance do indeed have a definite link with crime; (4) value systems and moral standards worldwide, but specifically in South Africa, are in jeopardy; and (5) although many people are critical of the police service, they are not prepared to become involved in crime prevention personally. Crime is one of the most serious problems facing South Africa. Research indicates that this can be related to the fact that South Africa has pro rata one of the largest prison populations in the world. South Africa is a poor country with millions of people living under the poverty line, and crime increases the financial burden of the country. This article reports on a section of the study which sought to gain insight into the attitudes, the level of knowledge, and the perceptions of learners between the ages of 10 and 15 in the North West Province regarding crime. References