Criminology and Forensic Studies

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/7765

This discipline area provides expert knowledge to deal effectively with crime, victimisation and conflict and to promote a democratic and just society with a human rights ethos as set out in the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights and other relevant international legal frameworks and treaties. It introduces students to biological, psychological and social dimensions of criminal behaviour and explores the application of these approaches to an understanding of the diversity of criminal behaviour. The critical evaluation and application of theories to different categories of crime and criminal behaviour provide students with the opportunity to explore and analyse individual and social influences on criminal behaviour. Not only is the multidimensional nature of conflict studied but analyses refer also to the functioning of the major tiers and role-players of criminal justice recognising the importance of judicial pluralism together with emerging forms of justice such as restorative justice. Current scholarly debates surrounding the workings and outcomes of the system and its component parts are analysed and evaluated and theories and perspectives of punishment, justice and crime reduction are appraised providing a critical understanding and specialised knowledge of the evolution, elements, aims and applications of punishment within a local and international human rights framework, focusing also on the gendering of crime and victimisation and minimum standards for child justice reform as well as structural interdicts to ensure state delivery. The importance of the crime case study method is furthermore highlighted with the presentation of material to the criminal justice system informed by scientific rigour. Analyses refer inter alia to the credibility of behavioural evidence, pre-sentence evaluations and victim impact statements.

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An assessment of weather patterns on property-related crimes in Newlands East policing area, Durban.
(2018) Mbonambi, Nokukhanya Neptune.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
It is in the best interest of community members, as well as policy makers to comprehend the factors that influence crime while not solely focusing on the effectiveness of the available strategies. This study aimed at exploring the South African Police Services (SAPS) perceptions on weather patterns as a contributory factor to residential burglary in the Newlands East Policing Area of Durban. The motivation behind this study was based in safety within the selected community, mainly focusing on burglary at residential burglary premises because this crime has seen the highest reported property-related crime in the area for the past five years (2012-2016). It was also underpinned by the National Developmental Plan (NDP) of attempting to build safer communities by 2030. In ensuring that the aim of this study was achieved, a qualitative research designed was used, which assisted the researcher to focus on the exploration of weather patterns on burglary in a residential setting. Data collection for this study was based on semi-structured interviews conducted on an individual basis with selected participants. It combined a set of pre-determined questions that enabled the interviewer to explore further particular themes and responses. The findings of this study revealed that residential burglary increase and decrease in relation to different weather conditions within the location of this study. Overall, it can be concluded that weather patterns are indeed a contributory factor to residential burglary. It also suggested that police officials have developed strategies against weather patterns on residential burglary. However, the challenge lies in the communities’ co-operation in fighting this kind of crime.
A criminological exploration of community policing forums in Durban, South Africa: a study based on Glenwood Suburb and Cato Manor Township.
(2018-10) Dlamini, Siyanda.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
Crime continues to be a serious problem in South Africa, as the country ranks 3rd on the global crime index as at 2016. The damaging impact of crime on the safety and security of communities, peace and stability in the country as well as its effect on the country’s reputation among potential international tourists and investors, and how all these affect the general quality of life of ordinary citizens need no emphasis. Crime solutions that work, and are cost effective remain elusive. However, due to its success in reducing crime rates in different parts of the world since its introduction in the United States of America during the 1970s, community policing is now a standard ideological and policy model guiding mission statements, goals, and reform programs of most policing agencies across the world. Regardless of its enviable status in the practicing of policing, more than twenty (20) years after the attainment of democracy, the question beckons whether the inception of community policing and particularly community policing forums is an effective strategy within the South African communities to combat and prevent crime. This thesis draws from three theories namely normative sponsorship (Tiedke et al.et al. 1975), broken windows (Wilson & Kelling, 1997) and social resource (Wong, 2008) theories to explore the understanding, organization and challenges of community policing forums (CPFs) in two dissimilar suburban areas in Durban. The aim is to gain a qualitative understanding of its challenges in order to find ways in which community policing as an enviable crime prevention strategy can be improved to make communities safer. The findings collected through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with a total number of fifty-five (55) participants comprising of South African Police Service (SAPS) and CPFs representatives, political leaders and ordinary members of the two communities suggest limited knowledge of and affinity to CPFs by community members. This owes partly to lack of communication, resources, trust, as well as political interference and SAPS organisational culture, which affect the functioning of these CPFs. A comparative analysis between the two areas noted differences in participation by the youth, police, and community members as well as their remuneration. Together, these findings suggest that more effort is needed from both the community and the police for an effective functioning of the CPFs. While the findings may be limited to the present case study areas, they indicate that an effective implementation of CPFs in resource-constrained and relatively affluent areas in South Africa demands more attention. There is no doubt that this insight might be usefully adapted to maximize CPFs in a related context in and beyond South Africa. Conceptually, the findings demonstrate that if the fight against crime is to have any meaning, it is essential that community policing, especially CPFs be thoroughly understood. This is particularly important in the South African context because community policing without a clear focus on crime risk factors generally has no effect on crime. These risk factors include the so-called “root causes” of crime. This study ends by pointing to understanding community policing outside cultural contexts as the other important area that warrant further inquiry to address challenges of CPFs that compromise effective crime prevention.
A criminological exploration of the South African land restitution process: a non-empirical study of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Milos, Arnold Tawanda.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
This research was aimed at exploring crimes which are involved in the process of restitution of land in KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. The motivation of the study is that since the Restitution of Land Rights Act 22 of 1994 was enacted after South Africa’s independence, the focus has been on giving people the land back which is up to today not half done. Instead of resorting to measures like land grabs and unplanned expropriation of land without compensation, the researcher decided to look at the root cause of why the process of restitution has been slow and sometimes not completed. The researcher did this by exploring the criminological reasons for such. To ensure that the end-product of this research is achieved, a qualitative approach (using systematic literature review) was used to explore the Restitution of Land Rights Act 22 of 1994 and link it with crimes involved. Data was collected using systematic literature review. This was done to assist with assessing at all documents, journals, reported news, case law and statutes. The data collected was analysed using Content Analysis method (CA). The essence of Content Analysis was that it brings scholars’ opinions, reported cases, decided cases and published journals and dissertations together. This is important as the researcher had different sources to investigate when embarking on this journey. The main findings highlighted that most land related crimes are committed by the tribunal authorities in KZN. These are the chiefs who are responsible for looking after and distributing communal land to the community after it has been given back to a community or individuals. Other findings indicated that if South Africa does not take measures, other crimes committed in other countries by people like land guards can end up being practiced in South Africa. This study suggest that successful individual claimants should be able to be given back land straight to themselves or otherwise they choose a curator of their choice. The other suggestion is that the implementation of the process should be strict, and the land commissioners should be monitored and produce progress reports on the cases they would have handled. A recommendation offered is that scholars may do a critic or further study on land related crimes.
Criminological theological efforts in combating crime by Roman Catholic Church of uMndeni Oyingcwele, KwaZulu-Natal province.
(2018) Ndlovu, Nondumiso Ayanda.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
The primary aim of this study was to explore and gain different perceptions of individuals regarding the role of the church in combating crime within the community of Hammarsdale, Mpumalanga Township. Taking into consideration the Roman Catholic Church as a societal structure that aims to instil morals and values in the upbringing of an individual. The task of the church and its clergy is to continuously restore a sense of civility and responsibility to everyday life and promote crime prevention and genuine rehabilitation. On the contrary, within the community of Hammasdale, crime is reported to be escalating. Crime such as murder, common assault, car hijacking and house robbery were said to be the most popular among this community. Therefore, this study aimed at closing this literature gap by exploring the role of the Roman Catholic Church of Umndeni Oyingcwele Parish in combating crime. This study employed a qualitative approach to ensuring that the goals of the study were achieved. The qualitative approach was used in this study to assist in the exploration of the nature of crime present within this community, challenges faced with regards to crime, perceptions of community members with regards to the presence of crime. This approach combined a set of questions that enabled the interviewer to explore further particular themes and responses. In analysing the data collected, thematic analysis method was utilised. The effectiveness of thematic analysis was derived from the familiarization of data by the researcher. This was possible because the researcher conducted tape-recorded interviews and transcribed them, and it allowed the researcher to familiarize with the data for an in-depth and perceptive analysis. This research considered the common threads that provided an opportunity to ascertain patterns that showed common causes among the research participants. Findings highlighted that the church is indeed a societal structure that does aim to instil morals and values but a structure that has little control of social factors that contribute to crime. It was discovered that the church is not very much active in implementing measures that involve the community to combat crime but is aware of this phenomenon.
An evaluation of independent investigative mechanisms in the South African Police Services to control corruption: a criminological perspective.
(2018) Baloyi, Tintswalo.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
Police corruption is a complex worldwide phenomenon, both in developing and developed countries. The questions arise as to where members of society turn to when it is those that have oathed to serve and protect tend to be the ones that do the damage. This study focuses on strategies that are in place to curb police corruption in the South African Police Services as an organisation. Data for this study were collected qualitatively through semi-structured interviews with purposively selected participants. Twenty-one participants participated in this study. This study used both descriptive and exploratory research designs. The study used two theories in exploring the possible causes of police corruption, namely Rational Choice Theory (RCT) and Social Learning Theory. These two theories reflected on police corruption as crime being a choice, and crime being learned through motivation. The findings were that independent strategies are there, but so are general ones, ones within the organisation. It has been discovered that even though the strategies are there, police corruption continues being problematic, due to such reasons associated with the challenges faced by officers on a daily basis, like inadequate salaries, thus corruption is something they do not do willingly but rather circumstantial. At the end of the day, they themselves as police disciplinarians themselves, being police officers as well, feel that salaries must be increased.
An exploration of factors contributing to the illegal hunting of antelope in Maloti-Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Schutte, Lindie Marie.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
The illegal hunting of wildlife animals has a severe negative impact on a country’s economy, wildlife population, and the environment. The extinction of a species can have a negative economic effect on a country’s tourism industry. A country such as South Africa relies on its wildlife, among other things, to attract tourists and is at great risk of economic hardship if the prevalence of illegal hunting is high. This means that a need exists to reduce the levels of illegal hunting of wildlife animals in South Africa. However, to establish these much-needed prevention methods, the reason for the illegal hunting of specific animals in a given environment must be explored first. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to ascertain why the illegal hunting of antelope exists in Maloti-Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal. A mixed methods research approach is adopted in this study. The key purpose is to focus on the exploration of the factors that contribute to the illegal hunting of antelope in the abovementioned park. Mixed methods research is defined as “a research design (or methodology) in which the researcher collects, analyses, and mixes (integrates or connects) both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or a multiphase program of inquiry”. It is important to adopt a mixed methods research approach because this study aims to explore the factors that contribute to the illegal hunting of antelope in Maloti-Drakensberg Park as well as to explain why this form of illegal hunting exists in that park. This study uses a concurrent triangulation design in which different but complementary data are collected on the same topic. In this study, surveys in the form of face-to-face questionnaires were used to test the theory that a relationship (correlation) exists between poverty and the illegal hunting of antelope in the park. Concurrent with this data collection, qualitative interviews explored the feelings and attitudes that residents of the surrounding villages, as well as the staff members from the park, have towards the illegal hunting of antelope in Maloti-Drakensberg Park. The data for this study were collected in the following four locations in and around the park: Giant's Castle Game Reserve, Lotheni Nature Reserve, Emahlutshini, and Hlatikulu. Furthermore, the surveys were used for the quantitative aspect of this study. The findings demonstrate that poverty is the most common reason for the existence of such illegal hunting in this park and that there is a need for more employment opportunities in the area. This study ends by recommending methods of education and awareness for the staff and community members on how they can go about reducing the levels of illegal hunting.
Understanding the causes of male sexual assault: a case study of the Kokstad Medium Correctional Centre.
(2018) Mtshali, Siphelele Nokwethemba.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
Correctional centres are regarded as places of rehabilitation; however, this is not always the case. Correctional centres of the 21st century in South Africa seem to be a breeding place for the victimisation of offenders. One of the main purposes of environmental criminology is to successfully prevent the occurrence of crime through crime prevention strategies. Environmental Criminology considers the way in which the environment can contribute to the occurrence of crime and thus developing strategies that will alter the environment into preventing the crime from occurring. Aspects such as lighting, structure, and visibility are all taken into consideration when developing crime combating strategies. Using environmental designs to prevent sexual assault from occurring in South African correctional centres would require of the correctional officials to consider dealing with environmental issues such as overcrowding, how offenders are treated, as well as dealing with the issue of food, blankets and beds that are used as currency at the Kokstad correctional centre. This study aims to report on the causes of male sexual assault in South African correctional centres, with much focus on the Kokstad medium correctional centre. This study investigated the prevalence, nature and extent of sexual assault, as well as the rehabilitation programmes that are aimed at assisting victims of sexual assault. This was an exploratory and descriptive study that made use of in-depth interviews. Qualitative research method was used. Through thematic analysis the findings indicated that the presence of gangs in correctional centres is the major cause of sexual assault. Offenders can willingly become victims of sexual assault when they do not have support from their families as well as not having toiletries and well call items (well call items are food, snacks and cigarettes). As it had been mentioned above that the aim of the study was to report on the causes of male sexual assault, it became evident that overcrowding, staff shortages, lack of training for correctional officials on sexual assault related matters were some of the causes of male sexual assault at the Kokstad medium correctional centre.
A victimological exploration of the programmes and services available to victims of trio-crimes in Durban Metropolitan Area.
(2015) Dlamini, Siyanda.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
This research was aimed at exploring and giving insight into the programmes and services available to victims of trio-crimes in the Durban Metropolitan Area. The motivation behind the study is that as a recently constitutional democracy, South Africa faces major challenges with the enforcement of the rule of law and with guaranteeing the protection of the citizen’s fundamental human rights. Post-Apartheid South Africa is founded on democratic values and the Constitution enshrines a range of fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom and security. In light of these provisions, strengthened by international human rights jurisprudence, the South African government is accountable for the management of crime, and requires policies, strategies and programmes to carry out this responsibility. In ensuring that the goals of this study are achieved, a qualitative approach was used in this study that assisted to focus on the exploration of the programmes available to victims of Trio-Crimes within the City of Durban. Data collection for this study was based on semi-structured interviews conducted on an individual basis. It combined a set of pre-determined questions that enabled the interviewer to explore further particular themes and responses. In analysing the data collected, thematic analysis method was utilised. The effectiveness of thematic analysis was derived from the familiarisation of data by the researcher. This was possible because the researcher conducted tape recorded interviews and transcribed them, and it allowed the researcher to familiarise with the data for an in-depth and perceptive analysis. However, this research considered the common threads among the respondents that provided an opportunity to ascertain patterns that showed common cause or commonalities among the research participants. The main findings highlighted that there are programmes and services available to assist and empower victims of trio-crimes in the Durban Metropolitan Area; and such programmes and services are provided by different organisations within the city. It also indicated that these programmes and services are beneficial and effective, and they impact on a victims` life in a constructive manner. However, these victim support systems are deeply reliant upon volunteers for their execution.

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Browsing Criminology and Forensic Studies by Author "Dlamini, Siyanda."