Business Against Crime was established in 1996 in response to a request from then President Nelson Mandela who invited business to join hands with the Government in the fight against crime. The organisation seeks to support Government's efforts by complementing its resources with the considerable entrepreneurial, managerial and technological skills for which the South African private sector is renowned.

Business Against Crime's objective is clear. Together with Government, and in partnership with the citizens of our country, we want to make South Africa a safer place in which to live, work and do business:

• A country of prosperity and opportunity for citizens and business in an environment uninhibited by crime; and
• A country that takes effective, consistent and ongoing preventative measures, and where necessary, criminal justice interventions to ensure the quality of life of its people.

Crime is one of the cardinal problems affecting South Africa and its people. Every day, South Africans from all walks of life are crippled by its devastating effects – a declining economy, unemployment, broken families and the stress associated with a life of fear. Unless crime is confronted and addressed vigorously and without compromise, we cannot hope to develop our wonderful country to its full potential.

Business, being the economic engine of society, is both directly and indirectly impacted by crime. Directly regarding the theft of property and money, and indirectly through reduced business confidence, loss of investment, emigration and the steady erosion of the foundations upon which the economy is built.

Business Against Crime's mission is for a “Safe and Secure South Africa”. Business Against Crime, on behalf of business, underpins this outcome by supporting a number of targeted outputs or project initiatives that cover:

• Strategy, policy and priority determination;
• System and process improvements; and
• Project implementation.

Business Against Crime was established as a Section 21 company by our Founding Sponsors and subsequently, Business Against Crime companies were registered in seven provinces. All the companies focus on a common goal and support the implementation capacity for the provincial roll-out of national anti-crime priority initiatives.