[Crime and mental illness in South Africa]

In South Africa, endemic violence and the high prevalence of mental disorders pose a double challenge to society and the justice system. While mental illnesses such as psychosis and depression affect a large part of the population, their link to crime, particularly homicide, remains poorly documented, even though studies reveal a high incidence of psychopathy among violent offenders. Some quantitative data, albeit fragmentary, allow us to explore the interactions between mental disorders and criminal behavior, and to highlight the shortcomings of the judicial and prison systems, as well as areas for improvement in mental health and justice.