Public trust plummets: Eight in ten South Africans distrust national leadership, IJR survey reveals

Public trust in political leaders and institutions remains extremely low, according to the latest South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB) by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR).

The IJR conducted 2,006 interviews with citizens from different backgrounds for the public opinion survey, which was released today. IJR officials stated that the Barometer revealed a nation marked by democratic resilience but also deep public fragility.

The latest SARB reveals that only one-third of South Africans have confidence in the Government of National Unity; furthermore, up to 54%show distrust in the country's four largest political parties.

SARB Senior Consultant, Kate Lefko-Everett, noted that public distrust in the government has remained low over the past two years.

"We see still about eight in ten South Africans are distrustful of national leadership, and most South Africans believe that national leaders don't care about ordinary people."

The Barometer also showed shifting public opinion on key policies and historical issues:

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE): 54% of citizens believe BEE should be phased out.

Apartheid Crimes: 58% feel more resources should be put into solving apartheid-era crimes.