# Gun violence should no longer be viewed primarily as a criminal justice issue, but as a sustained public health problem in South Africa. This is according to a new study by University of Cape Town researchers and Gun Free South Africa. Firearm-related murders increased from 31 to 44-percent of all murders between 2020 and 2025. UCT’s Dean Peacock says firearm injuries should go beyond emergency treatment to include mental health support. The study proposes strengthening firearm injury surveillance and integrating firearm risk screening into domestic violence and mental-health services.
New study says gun violence should also be treated as a public health crisis in South Africa