Port Elizabeth residents have reacted with outrage to a new poll that claims the city is the worst place to live in South Africa, the Herald Online reported on Monday.
Labelling the poll ”undiluted rubbish”, Port Elizabeth businessman and former political activist Khusta Jack said the city has a better sense of safety than anywhere else in the country.
”The survey has no basis because, statistically, we have relatively better policing than other cities,” he said. ”It offers the best quality of life, especially for people with young families, because there are good schools here.”
The study by national magazine Men’s Health rated Bloemfontein tops, while Port Elizabeth came last in the eight cities surveyed. The survey, conducted over two months, ranked cities on health, fitness, security and quality of life.
It reported that Port Elizabeth had the highest violent crime rate per 10 000 males, with more murders, assaults, rapes and attempted murders than anywhere else.
Bloemfontein, with only 20 burglaries per 10 000 residents, was voted the best city in South Africa for men. Pietermaritzburg was rated second, Johannesburg third, Pretoria fourth, Cape Town fifth, East London sixth and Durban seventh.
Coca-Cola Sabco chairperson Phil Gutsche said Port Elizabeth is one of the best cities in the world. ”I think crime is a problem, but there has been a big improvement with the introduction of policing in the city centre,” he said.
Comedian Barry Hilton said Port Elizabeth is a beautiful city. Although there is crime, it is not as bad as in bigger cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, where most homes have electric fencing.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism spokesperson Phumeza Mgxashe said: ”I feel that the quality of life in Port Elizabeth is better because there is less congestion than in bigger cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria.” — Sapa