Doctoral Degrees (Criminology and Forensic Studies)

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A criminological inquiry into life insurance fraud in KwaZulu-Natal: an exploratory study.
(2023) Mthethwa, Nomathamsanqa.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.
Abstract available in PDF.
An examination of the social context of sexual victimisation of female students in institutions of higher learning in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban)
(2022) Makhaye, Mandisa Samukelisiwe.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.
Sexual victimisation is a serious violation of human rights, as well as a safety and public health concern. It does not only occur in one dimension or among a specific race group, but it affects all classes, races, settings, and circumstances. The aim of the study is to uncover the social context of the phenomenon of sexual victimisation in three selected institutions of higher learning in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban). The study's objectives are to investigate the nature of sexual victimisation against female students in Durban's selected universities; to determine the contributing factors to sexual victimisation against female students; to investigate the effects of sexual victimisation on female students; to investigate the lack of reporting of sexual victimisation by female students; and to evaluate the usefulness of current strategies for policing sexual offences in the selected universities. The Routines Activities Theory and the Integrated Theory of Sexual Offending guide the research. Both theories explain sexual victimisation in terms of the victim and the perpetrator, highlighting the explicit factors that contribute to the prevalence of sexual victimisation. A total of 46 participants were purposively sampled from three universities in Durban, and data was collected through interviews and thematically analysed. According to this study, incapacitated sexual victimisation is more common on campus than forcible rape, in which perpetrators use threats or physical force. This could be attributed to both the victim's and the perpetrator's excessive alcohol consumption and drug use. Victimisation can lead to social withdrawal, trauma, depression, and poor academic performance. Furthermore, some victims are infected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), while others become pregnant. Furthermore, the study discovers that Student Representative Council (SRC) and lecturers abuse their power by requesting sexual favours from female students in exchange for securing a residence or grades. Statistics on sexual victimisation are unreliable because young female students are reluctant to report sexual victimisation to authorities. Some of the reasons for non-reporting include a fear of secondary victimisation and a lack of trust in institutions. According to the study's recommendations, the curriculum should include sex education to instil an understanding of consent and to foster dialogue and consistent awareness of sexual victimisation within the institution. Additionally, policies should be efficiently implemented according to the stipulated objectives. Furthermore, the study recommends upgrading security measures, establishing a gender-based violence (GBV) centre, capacitating security personnel to deal with cases of sexual victimisation, and forming a partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to encourage a transparent and efficient investigation process. Finally, institutions should implement an online reporting portal to create a safe space for victims to report.
Assessing the extent of child trafficking and national reponse to Southern Gondar, Ethiopia.
(2017) Tolla, Aden Dejene.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
Human beings were bought and sold like materials for merchants as an exchange by warriors and kings in the early nineteenth century. Unfortunately, this horrible trade has continued in a more terrible manner called human trafficking or modern-day slavery. The issue of human trafficking is a huge concern for most nations. In Ethiopia, trafficking in person has been a common practice - affecting individuals and communities irrespective of age, gender and ethnicity. Child trafficking in Ethiopia is one of their main social problems. This research aims to explore the extent of child trafficking in Este Worda and Debre Tabor Worda, and to investigate the possible community associated factors which cause child trafficking. The national response to fight and control the problem in Ethiopia was also further investigated in this study. The General Strain Theory and Karl Marx Conflict Theory that had been chosen to further explain of the research questions and objectives. This study applies quantitative research method, descriptive and explorative designs is used to address the research questions and documentary data review reports from governmental and non-governmental experiences of strategies, policies and findings from existing documents. A total of 636 household participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique in order to fulfil the quantitative survey. Analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 statistical software packages. The data was analysed by logistic regression, bivariate analysis of factors association, multivariate analysis and Cross tabulation of factors associated with child trafficking were thus investigated. The study interpreted the quantitative findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of the extent and prevalence, associated factors, and response to child trafficking in Ethiopia. ix According to the research result in the study area, 128 children had been trafficked in to different places. The extent of child trafficking is about (20 percent) in East Este Woreda in 2016. The result of this study is on based on bivariate and multivariate significant outcomes using SPSS to determine the four independent variables (socio-demographic factors, socio-economic factors, information and communication factors and socio-cultural factors) are possible community associated factors which contributed to child trafficking in the society. The Socio-demographic factors (education, age, marital status and geographical exposure) were found be the factors for a child to be trafficked. Socio-economic factors (poverty, parent disintegration, children expectation and parents’ expectation, luck of structured facilities, influence of returns, demand and hotel owners and broker’s effect) were found to be influential factors for child trafficking as well. There were socio- cultural factors (culture e.g. early marriage, parent poor child care skill, gender violence, domestic violence and seasonal factor) which influenced child trafficking in East Este and Debre Tabor Woreda. Information and communication factors (globalisation, factual awareness about trafficking, less awareness of child rights and access to communication) have been found the main contributed factors for trafficking from this research study. The research also shows that child labour issues are common in Ethiopia. The majority of Ethiopian children who participated in such activities, work as part of the livelihoods of their families. Regarding family duties and responsibility, children usually daughters are more responsible for supporting their parents, this result to scarify themselves by engaging in various social practices like servitude and other works in town and inspire in early marriage to endure the problem. Victim’s relatives, friends, associates and family play a significant role in internal child trafficking in Ethiopia. The response of Ethiopian government to child trafficking is positive but it is very limited and cannot combat the problem. However, Ethiopian government has developed and endorsed regulatory and legal frame works and put various measures in place to a fight, control, prevent and address the problem of child trafficking. Due to the condition, implementation problem, poor governance, no direct support for the victims, shortage of skilled police to examine child trafficking, official corruption, low prosecution of traffickers and limited child trafficking policies are those factors for un success out come and low progress to deal with the problem. Despite the legal provision which take the first line render proper justice on brokers and facilitators of child trafficking in Ethiopia, and the child trafficking policies and legislations have proved to be not strong enough to prevent and protect, obviously there is problem with implementation and direct assistance with victims.
Audience perception of portrayals of women in selected Lokshin Bioskop films.
Mtshede, Sibusiso Thembalami.; Teer-Tomaselli, Ruth Elizabeth.
This study was aimed at audience perceptions on the representation of women in Lokshin Bioskop films. The purpose of carrying out this research is to find out what the female audience has to say on the female representation in three Lokshin Bioskop feature films. This study will be informed by the encoding and decoding theory. The research explored representations of women in feature films through an assessment of the audience’s perceptions therefore this study seeks to gain an insight into gendered reception hence the focus group participants are women. Three feature films Taxi Ride, Umalokazana and Jezebel have been selected for this study and will be viewed by the targeted audience and representation analysis will be drawn from these films. This study analysed how the audience perceived the representations of women from the three selected Lokshin Bioskop films by the directors.
A comparative analysis of recidivism with specific reference to crimino-victimogenic variables, offence analysis and programme participation.
(2017) Cronje, Matthew.; Peacock, Robert.
Recidivism research is an important area of study within the field of Criminology as it can provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of current sentencing practices and correctional interventions alike. An understanding of the factors associated with the continued involvement in offending behaviour after the completion of a formal correctional sentence is essential, not only from an intervention perspective but also in terms of policy development and legislation. Despite this importance, there is however a distinct dearth of both theoretical and empirical understandings of recidivism and its associated factors. It is for this reason that the current study aimed to develop an understanding of the criminogenic and victimogenic factors associated with recidivism in South Africa including the effect of programme participation and offence type. The lack of existing frameworks focused on recidivism made it necessary to utilise research strategies that were of an exploratory, descriptive and explanatory nature. Primary data needed to be collected and then tested on a larger scale to both identify and verify the factors associated with recidivism in the South African context. The study was furthermore underpinned theoretically by the cognitive-behavioural theory due to its proven effectiveness as an intervention approach in the correctional and clinical environment. A purposive sample of 252 total participants were drawn from the Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces in South Africa to participate in either the qualitative (interviews and focus groups N=50) or quantitative (questionnaires N=202) phases of the study. The results from the qualitative phase of the study were used in conjunction with the theoretical and empirical perspectives to develop a quantitative measuring instrument to test the variables identified (cognitive-behavioural, victimogenic, social, environmental and other) on a larger scale. In addition to the factors associated with recidivism, programmatic and general variables were also included in the final measurement instrument. Inferential (chi-square and correlations) and descriptive (means, standard deviations and frequency distributions) statistical analyses were utilised to compare the participants’ responses to the above mentioned factor domains and provide a general description of the characteristics of the sample respectively.
Counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa: a criminological examination.
(2023) Nihal, Trevonia.; Jagganath, Gerelene.
This study focused on the criminological examination of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa. The researcher proposed six objectives for this study, and they are as follows: to determine the extent of counterfeit pharmaceutical products being produced in South Africa; to examine how South African police officers are trained to detect counterfeit pharmaceutical products; to examine and investigate the legislature that South Africa has in place to deal with counterfeit crime; to investigate how the internet facilitates criminal organizations that deal in counterfeit pharmaceutical products; to determine the factors that contribute to the influx of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa; and to investigate the public health interventions that South Africa has in place to protect citizens against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. The researcher utilized the rational choice theory and the general strain theory as the theoretical underpinning of this study to explain the phenomenon of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa. These theories proved to be relevant as they allowed the researcher to understand and explore the research phenomenon in the context of South Africa, where the study is based. The study employed an exploratory research design and utilized the qualitative research method. The sample size for this study comprised of twenty-five (25) police officers, of whom fourteen were from the Commercial Crime Branch in Prospecton, and eleven (11) were from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) in Durban Central. The researcher used the purposive and snowball sampling technique to select the respondents for the study. The researcher chose these techniques as they proved helpful in selecting those respondents that were most relevant and knowledgeable regarding the topic under study. To gather data, the researcher employed one-on-one semi-structured interviews and utilised an interview schedule of predetermined questions emanating from the existing literature on the phenomenon. The collected data was transcribed and then thematically analyzed to produce an interpretable report. In conducting this study, the researcher adhered to all the ethical considerations as stipulated by the Ethics Committee within the University of Kwa-Zula Natal and obtained permission from the relevant gatekeepers. The researcher informed the respondents that their participation was voluntary and ensured confidentiality and anonymity to each respondent through the informed consent form. Findings: the study finds that counterfeit pharmaceutical products are not necessarily produced in South Africa but are brought into the country as a result of porous borders, scarcity of law enforcement at the borders to prevent counterfeit pharmaceutical products from entering the country, high demand for more affordable pharmaceutical products and the opportunity to financially benefit from the fear, panic and desperation surrounding sickness as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study finds that 60% of the respondents indicated that they received either formal or informal training, with some stating that they received both. The study finds that the legislature surrounding counterfeit crime is limited in that it permits much leniency towards counterfeiters by imposing a fine rather than a term of incarceration for the accused counterfeiter. The study finds that the internet facilitates criminal organisations by allowing counterfeiters to operate anonymously and behind layers of encryption, thus making it challenging for law enforcement to trace and identify them. The study finds that while various factors cause an influx of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in the country, the most contributing factors are unemployment that leads to poverty, demand for affordable pharmaceutical products, profitability, and lenient legislation and its poor enforcement. The study finds that 84% of the respondents were unaware that South Africa has any public health interventions currently to protect citizens against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Recommendations: The researcher recommends that future researchers research the effects of counterfeit pharmaceuticals on chronic medicine users and the dangers that ingesting it might have on an individual who requires the legitimate version. The researcher recommends to law enforcement that all police officers receive some induction on counterfeit products but with greater focus on products that could result in a fatality, such as counterfeit pharmaceutical products. The researcher recommends that the South African government, together with the relevant role players (such as the Department of Health), implement functioning and effective approaches to create awareness of counterfeit products and pharmaceutical products specifically. The researcher strongly recommends that the community continuously educate themselves on the harms of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the effects of ingesting substandard medicines on the human body. Under the assumption of providing relief to a medical condition, the consumption of counterfeit pharmaceuticals can result in more illness instead of relief from it. The researcher recommends that individuals visit registered healthcare providers or hospitals to ensure that they receive treatment with medication that is authentic and safe for human usage.
Crime prevention, a criminological perspective of Msinga Municipality in the uMzinyathi District, Dundee.
(2017) Zondi, Lawrence Musa.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
Crime affects the quality of life for our communities. All South African are directly or indirectly affected by criminal acts and increasing violence that has become associated with these acts. Internationally it has found that crime and violence erodes social cohesion, limits mobility and erodes citizens’trust in the state to protect them (Crime Prevntion Management Course 2014:14). Reducing and building safer communities must be a priority in South Africa. In order to achieve this, crime prevention must be initiated at the community level. Safety is a core human right. It is necessary condition for human development, improving the quality of life and enhancing productivity. Early strategies regarding the provision of safety and security in the country centred on installing collaborative working relationships among key government departments and stakeholders. The holistic approach was articulated in the 1996 National Crime Prevention Strategy. This strategy was geared towards the development of integrated crosscutting programmes. The role played by community safety structures cannot be underestimated in terms of fighting crime. These structures involved inter alia: Community Policing Forums (CPF’s), Community Safety Forums (CSF’s), Community crime prevention association (CCPA), Volunteer social crime prevention programme (VSCPP), Ward Safety Committees, VD Safety teams and Street Committees. The National Development Plan recognises that crime and violence is not just a security issue, but it is multi-faceted. Addressing these cannot be seen as the mandate of the criminal justice system alone, but rather requires the involvement of all government departments, particurlarly those within the social and economic clusters. The National Development Plan recognises that crime and violence is not just a security issue, but has deep social and economic roots consequences (National Development Plan, Vision 2030). Social crime prevention means the prevention of social crime (that crime such as domestic violence, rape, murder, robbery, assaults and theft. Sometimes the concept also encapsulates the crime prevention programmes and approaches that are implemented by our society, organisations, communities and by people who are not part of the criminal justice system and its ultimate objective is to remove the reasons or cause of crime so that it does not take place. Over time, theorists and practitioners have realised that the most effective way to address crime is to prevent it from happening, rather than to respond to it once it has been committed. Social crime prevention addresses factors that influence an individual’s likelihood of committing a crime, such as poverty, unemployment, inequality, poor health care, and low educational performance (Crime Prevention Training Manual, 2013). The role-played by Amakhosi, izinduna, different government departments, criminal justice system and civil society in terms of fighting crime cannot be overemphasised and should be the priority of government at this day and age. The study will highlight the fundamental role of community safety structures such as CPF, CSF, CCPA, VD Safety Teams, Street Committees, etc, and meaningful contributions played by Amakhosi in the fight against crime in our communities. The combination of these community safety structures with the Criminal Justice System will add value in our endevours to prevnt crime crime. It must be remembered that these structures are not getting the attention and support they deserve from our government in the sense that they should be provided with sufficient resources such as stipend, offices, computers and motor vehicles. Some of these structures are not even highly recognised by memebers of the SAPS at the station level, and they are always called or referred to, the people of the CPF Coordinators. Sometimes the station commanders and senior memebers from the police do not even bother to attend CPF meetings at the police stations. Fundamentally, it remains the responsibility of the government to make sure that these community safety structures are continuously receive training, workshop in order to function and operate under the parameters of the law. It is our responsibility as law enforcement agencies to continuously capacitate them to avoid lawlessness and vigilantism in our communities. Violence and crime can change social networks and interactions and create mistrust, not only of the state, but also within communities. This will result to our communities more vulnerable to crime and subsequently perpetuates crime and violent crime (Crime Prevntion Management Course 2014:14).
A criminological analysis on safety and security of African foreign nationals in Durban, South Africa.
(2019) Cinini, Samuel Fikiri.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
The South African local citizens are not xenophobic, but they are rather forced to behave as such due to poverty, unemployment and serious social inequalities that characterise their communities. If these conditions are addressed through improved service delivery, foreign nationals could be spared from the blame. The scapegoating theory shows that local citizens do not hate foreigners but rather blame them because of strains caused by unsatisfactory life conditions which lead them to violent reactions against foreign nationals mostly from African countries. This research was undertaken to explore the threatening factors and experiences faced by foreign nationals on their safety and security in the city of Durban South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative methodology consisting of 50 in-depth interviews with African foreign nationals living in the city of which 16 African countries were represented in the research. Nevertheless, the displayed acts during the xenophobic [violence] attacks are of serious concern within the field of criminology holistically. Common law offences, such as; [physical] assault (I.e. Grievous Bodily Harm - GBH), arson, rape, injuries verbal abuse, house robberies, property damage as well as discrimination are serious crimes characterised by xenophobic violent attacks on foreign nationals. This urges for the re-definition of the concept “xenophobia” from a criminological perspective. Previously considered as mere hatred sentiments or negative attitudes towards foreigners, this research provides a different way of understanding xenophobia. This criminological analysis on safety and security of African foreign nationals in the city of Durban suggests that xenophobia can best be understood as a series of crimes against foreign nationals -which are violent in nature leading to physical beating, killing and the looting of goods as well as destroying of properties owned by foreign nationals. These crimes are a serious violation of human rights affecting the human security of the people victims as they constitute a violation of both the international humanitarian laws and national laws providing protection of the human rights of every individual. The issue of safety and security of African foreign nationals is threatened by constant fear owing to experiences of violence and discrimination, social exclusion marked by anti-immigrant attitudes by some local citizens. Local authorities, community members and the government need to come together in association with foreign nationals’ representatives and re-think possibilities of social integration and cohesion. As with anyone, foreigners’ nationals living in South Africa must have unhindered access to the socio-economic and cultural facilities available in communities they live. This will make them feel part of the community. Since the South African government is a signatory of different international frameworks and treaties accepting to temporarily and permanently host people from other countries worldwide, different awareness campaign programs are needed within the communities aiming at creating an environment of understanding the importance and need of living with people from different nationalities. This itself will create a safe and happy place for both South African citizens and foreign nationals residing in the country.
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 investigation into the lived experiences of cybercrime perpetrators in southwest Nigeria.
(2020) Ojolo, Tolulope Lembola.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.; Olofinbiyi, Sogo Angel.
Internet fraud, also known as ‘yahoo-yahoo’, has become very popular in Nigeria, especially among the youth. Adopting a qualitative research design through a phenomenological lens, this study investigates the experiences of cybercrime perpetrators, otherwise known as ‘yahoo-boys’, in Nigeria. It seeks to understand the factors influencing and sustaining youth involvement in cyber criminality in Nigeria. Painstaking in-depth interviews were conducted with 29 yahoo-boys across three cities in Nigeria namely, Lagos, Ibadan and Ado-Ekiti. The study adopts the arguments of Robert Merton’s Strain Theory and Rational Choice Theory as a theoretical framework. Findings suggest that poverty, unemployment, corrupt political leadership and law enforcement, failure of vital social institutions to meet the needs of most of the population, as well as the proliferation of internet service providers have all merged to create a booming business of cybercrime in Nigeria. Narratives of yahoo-yahoo among the yahoo-boys vary from some admitting that it is a criminal act to others seeing it as an opportunity to escape the harsh socio-economic realities of Nigeria. Some also see it as an avenue for retribution and the redistribution of wealth. Some of these yahoo-boys believe that because most of their victims are based in rich western countries, they are taking revenge for the years of exploitation and oppression Africa has suffered through slavery and colonialism. Yahoo-yahoo is maintained and sustained through a highly sophisticated network of inter-continental groups of individuals and interests pooling resources together and sharing information and skills with the intent to defraud harmless individuals, business organisations and government parastatals across the globe. They pass on their skills and knowledge to recruits who, most times, consider themselves lucky to be joining the bandwagon through a structured system of apprenticeship and mentorship. The entire network of yahoo-yahoo is built on reliance and collaboration, and more recently has begun exploring elements of the supernatural- spiritualism, to boost the trade. It was brought to the fore that the efforts of the government to curb this illicit trade have been marred by corruption. Therefore, the study concludes that yahoo-yahoo is an endemic problem in Nigeria that requires a broad, systemic, and multi-level intervention. The proliferation of yahoo-yahoo in the country does not just bring to the fore the consequences of the harsh socio-economic reality Nigerians endure, but its normalisation as an inescapable reality for some young people among various groups of people show the decadence that has pervades in the country’s moral norms and ethical codes. To address the problem there is the need for an attitudinal change. Yahoo-yahoo must be labelled as a crime and not an avenue to escape poverty or get retribution. The government must address unemployment, invest in poverty reduction initiatives, and provide better remuneration across the board. There will be a further need to purge the Nigerian law enforcement agencies of corruption and constantly (re)train its officers on how to handle cybercrime. If initiatives such as sport development programmes and skills acquisition programmes are part of the education curriculum, young people will have the opportunity to develop capacity in other conforming areas of life that could yield a better remuneration in their adult life.
A criminological investigation into the South African correctional services approach towards offenders' rehabilitation: a case study of the Westville Correctional Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2019) Murhula, Bashizi Bashige.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
The South African Department of Correctional Services has a constitutional mandate to provide rehabilitation programmes that address offenders’ criminal conducts. The rehabilitation approach currently used to deliver this mandate is grounded on the needs-based model where dynamic factors associated with recidivism are systematically targeted in the treatment of offenders’ criminal behaviours. But the reality of the matter is that there are systemic problems that challenge the Department of Correctional Services both conveying its moral messaging and fulfilling its legal commitment to the rehabilitation of offenders. It is alleged from the media reports that South Africa still has one of the highest crimes and recidivism rates in the world. The high crime rate in South Africa created a “rush to incarcerate”, but little attention has been paid to its rehabilitation approach. When offenders re-offend, they are frequently blamed, yet ineffective implementation of rehabilitation programmes is rarely considered to be at fault. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the South African rehabilitation approach at the Westville Correctional Centre. A literature study aimed at describing essential information related to the study and theories applied in designing rehabilitation programmes was expounded. Thereafter an empirical investigation was conducted. Qualitative research methodology was employed, and a case study research design was utilised. Purposeful non-probability sampling was utilised to involve inmates and Westville Correctional Centre personnel in the study. Thirty inmates and twenty Westville Correctional Centre officials who met the inclusion criteria for the study were selected to participate. Semi-structured interview schedule and focus groups were used to collect data during the empirical investigation. Through analysing the results, the findings of this study demonstrated that the Department of Correctional Services mission is far to be accomplished due to its failure to implement rehabilitation programmes. Data generated in this study indicates that the approaches used in implementing rehabilitation strategies may not be well comprehended by the officers. Furthermore, the issue of overcrowding at the Westville Correctional Centre is the major factor inhibiting successful implementation of needs-based care rehabilitation programmes. Besides overcrowding problem, the Westville Correctional Centre structure does not allow for offices for professionals to implement rehabilitation programmes. The research study, therefore, recommends that if correctional centres in South Africa is to have any success in reducing re-offending, then a critical review of the strategy meant to achieve this goal is required. International literature has proven that the implementation of effective rehabilitation programmes can reduce reoffending and can be more cost-effective than other forms of sanctions.
A cross-sectional study of traditional police culture themes amongst experienced South African Police Service officials.
Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.; Steyn, Jéan.
There are serious concerns in South Africa lately regarding the change and behaviour of the police officials. Many incidences of police brutality have been reported and some broadcasted on media. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, demands a fundamental re-evaluation and conversion of the nature and style of policing in South Africa from denying the human rights of the majority of South Africans during the ‘apartheid era’ to gaining the trust and respect of all. This means changing the relationship between the citizens and police officials to build an environment that is conducive for all South African citizens. Based on the comments of a representative sample of experienced South African Police Service, this thesis explores the presence of the police culture themes of solidarity, isolation and cynicism amongst experienced police officials, with 10, 20 and 30 years of services . The researcher found substantial evidence of the presence of the police culture themes of solidarity, isolation and cynicism among experienced SAPS officials. Based on the findings of the study, it is argued that new developments in police and policing in South Africa over the last thirty (30) years (whether structure, strategy, policy and/or legislation) have not assisted much in counteracting police culture traits that traditionally accentuate the cynicism of and isolation from the public. In other words, counteracts democratic police and policing principles.
‘Darker shades of brown’ police culture of solidarity, isolation and cynicism attitudes by the South African National Defence Military police officials.
(2020) Sihlobo, Mfuneko Merriman.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.; Steyn, Jéan.
The study seeks to determine whether a random and representative sample of all South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Military Police Officials (MPOs) have attitudes evincing of police culture themes of solidarity, isolation and cynicism. The study adopted a quantitative approach due to the large number of the sample and nature of the study based on number of variables. The research hypotheses required that the study be generalisable to the overall population of the SANDF MPOs. Sensitivity had to be exercised regarding systematic biases while selecting the sample mean. In addition, because the overall purpose of the study required analysis of the sub-group effects among the overall sample, a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) stratified sampling design had to be employed in order to adequately measure sub-group differences. The stratified sampling design required a much larger overall sample than would have been necessary for testing of hypotheses for the whole population. Using a survey format, the researcher employed a non-experimental ex post facto (cross-sectional) design. The study established in general that SANDF MPOs have attitudes in support of police culture themes of solidarity and isolation. Although the study did not find attitudes evincing of police culture cynicism, more than half of the SANDF MPOs evinced attitudes in support of the police culture theme of cynicism. Statistical significant differences, differences of kind, and differences of degree, were found in relation to all the categorical independent variables (that is, SANDF unit, rank, experience, race, gender, and education). The study is the first of its kind in the world to establish whether military police officials have attitudes evincing of public police culture themes of solidarity, isolation and cynicism. The study provides an empirical peek into military police culture but allows for invaluable comparisons (differences and similarities) between public police culture and military police culture, and contributes novel knowledge to broader police culture, in general. Keywords- Police, public police, military police, police domain, policing, culture, police culture, police culture themes, police culture theme of solidarity, police culture theme of isolation, police culture theme of cynicism, South Africa, South African National Defence Force, South African National Defence Force Military Police.
The developments of a prosecutorial approach to combat income tax fraud in South Africa.
(2022) Shandu, Smangele Nkosingiphile.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is South Africa’s tax collecting authority. SARS was established under the SARS Act [No. 34 of 1997] as an autonomous agency, which is responsible for South Africa’s tax system and customs service. Tax is a crucial aspect of life for all citizens. Tax compliance contributes to national fiscus, and has positive implications such as better schools, improved social amenities, well-resourced hospitals, and strong domestic infrastructure. A common form of fraud against government is tax fraud in which either individual taxpayers do not pay taxes or they try to find illegal ways to avoid paying taxes. There has been a noticeable increase in targeted attacks from cybercriminals taking advantage of the SARS’ e-filing system. Government initiatives to combat crime have largely focused on visible and violent crime, while ‘white-collar crimes’ of fraud and corruption have not been high on the policy agenda. This study was conducted in Durban under KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. A qualitative research approach was adopted in this study to explore the development of a prosecutorial approach to combat income tax fraud in South Africa. Interpretive and constructivism qualitative paradigms were deemed suitable to allow participants to describe their understanding, interpretations, narratives, and personal experiences of efforts to combat tax fraud in South Africa. Phenomenological research design was adopted to explore the phenomenon under investigation. Thirty- one (n=31) key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with Ngubane National Accountants and Auditing Firm (NNAAF) experts who at a time were qualified Accountants, Internal Auditors, and Forensic Auditors. Twenty (n=20) in-depth individual interviews (IDIs) were conducted with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) experts who at a time were qualified Specialised tax unit prosecutors (NPA STU) and NPA Asset-Forfeiture Unit (NPA AFU) prosecutors. The participants were purposively selected to share their expert knowledge on taxation systems and tax fraud in South Africa. Fifty -one (n=51) participants were interviewed individually in this study. Three interview guides containing lists of open-ended research questions were used to collected quality data.The researcher took field notes during interviews and the interviewed participants were informed of the study purpose. The participants signed an informed consent form as evidence of agreeing to participate voluntarily. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse, code, and categorise themes that emerged from the interviews. Study findings revealed that there is a lack of skills and knowledge on detection, investigation, and prosecution of income tax fraud amongst accountants, auditors, investigators, and prosecutors in South Africa. The lack of technological investigative skills on tax crimes results in infective prosecution of tax crimes. Shortage of cybercrime and specialised tax unit prosecutors has a negative impact on quality investigation and prosecutions of tax fraud. Technological challenges on detection, investigation and prosecution processes have an impact in collecting digital evidence and in effective prosecution. Conflict of interests amongst stakeholders results in poor stakeholder co-operation. Findings also show that tax fraud perpetrators usually get fines rather than direct imprisonment. Findings reveals that the criminal justice system is not treating this crime the same way as violent crimes. There is lack of stakeholder co-operation and legislative challenges to investigate and prosecute tax crimes. The use of accounting and auditing firms has been categorised as poor. E-filing is an effective technological tool to detect, investigate, collect digital evidence, and prosecute tax fraud offenders. However, it has contributed to the current scourge of tax fraud. This study recommends that SARS as a primary tax administration stakeholder should engage with the public and private sector to develop a technological tool that will be used by taxpayers and stakeholders to report suspected tax fraud. SARS e-filing system needs to be re-implemented and improved to deter tax fraud. All tax crimes stakeholders (SARS, accounting and auditing firms, SAPS, and NPA) must sign a memorandum of understand (MoU) to enforce working relationship. All tax crimes stakeholders should conduct public workshops to promote tax compliance and deter tax crimes. Taxpayers must use the services of accounting and auditing firms to comply with tax legislation. Cybercrime investigators must be employed and trained to incapacitate them with skills and knowledge to collect digital evidence admissible in court. The NPA must employ additional tax unit prosecutors and provide cybercrime prosecution process training. All tax crimes stakeholders should implement and adopt tax fraud prevention strategies. Tax laws must be amended to allow the criminal justice processes to access all taxpayers’ information and there should be separation of powers between SARS and NPA AFU.
An exploration of the association between the whoonga/nyaope drug and criminality through the eyes of convicted drug offenders in three metropolitan cities of the Republic of South Africa.
(2019) Ngcobo, Siyanda Brightman.; Steyn, Jéan.
Illicit drug use has become a matter of worldwide concern. In South Africa, statistics have revealed that a third of the population admitted to using drugs during the year 2017, and about 20% of incarcerated prisoners admitted to having used an illicit drug. Drug addiction has a direct and major impact on the escalation of drug related criminal activities in the three major metropolitan cities of South Africa, namely Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Statistical data reflect a high correlation between drugs and criminal activities related to property and violent crimes. This has brought the spotlight upon these three metropolitan cities from various perspectives in a number of recent research studies. However, the current study focused on understanding how the Marxist class conflict theory and the rational choice theory underpin our understanding and appreciation of the relationship between the criminal intention of drug users and the rational thinking of these individuals. It was in this context that the study explored the concept of drug use and abuse with specific reference to the drug known as ‘whoonga’ or ‘nyaope’. Published reports and statistical data were perused in order to understand the link between drug usage and criminal activities. The literature highlighted the problematic issues in South Africa in relation to drug proliferation, drug addiction and criminality. The review included reports by the United Nations, drug and crime reports pertaining to African countries and, in particular, South African Police Service (SAPS) drug and crime reports in order to understand and evaluate the drug-crime scenario in this country. Primary data were collected and triangulated with the information obtained by means of the literature review. Using a scientific statistical instrument, the primary data that had been collected were thoroughly analysed to derive at trustworthy and viable results. The study took cognisance of the fact that the Constitutional Court of South Africa, which is the highest court of the land, made a landmark ruling in 2018 in which the private use and cultivation of dagga or cannabis were decriminalised and declared legal. However, this research revealed that the use of and trade in dagga is a gateway to the use and abuse of serious and damaging illicit drugs, particularly whoonga, which is highly addictive and easily accessible by the poor. The convicted offenders who participated in the study admitted that dagga was the cheapest drug available for the poor and was an omnipresent ingredient in different whoonga cocktails. The study found that heroin based drug users all suffer from substance dependency and that the withdrawal symptoms are extremely painful, to the point of intolerant pain. Often the need for money, the need for temporary escape from reality, and the fear of imminent withdrawal symptoms compel whoonga/nyaope drug addicts to do ‘absolutely anything’, regardless of the consequences, to get the next hit.
An exploratory study on the rehabilitation of female offenders in South Africa.
(2022) George, Krinesha.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
No two female offenders are the same. No two crimes are the same. Therefore, rehabilitation programmes need to be tailor-made to match the offender and the offender's crime. The purpose of offender rehabilitation stems from more than just discipline, and it is an opportunity for an offender to better herself. Owing to the low rate of female offending compared to male offending, previous studies focus mostly on male rehabilitation and experiences using a blanket approach to address female offender rehabilitation. This study was theorised to explore current rehabilitation programmes explicitly offered to female offenders and further exposes the lack of effective rehabilitative programmes available for female offenders. Female offenders are the key informants of this study, as they are one of the end-users of the rehabilitation programmes which the Department of Correctional Services1 offers. The marginalisation theory by Meda-Chesney Lind played a vital role in explaining the motive of crime for some female offenders (Mohammed, Banarjee and Khatun, 2014). According to Statistics South Africa (2020), females experience higher poverty levels within South Africa than their male counterparts. The researcher used a qualitative methodology to explore the experiences of female offenders who have been enrolled in rehabilitative programmes. This study concluded that rehabilitative programmes that are currently available are offered to assist female offenders with social challenges like poverty and unemployment. However, the lack of offence-specific programmes results in recidivism and offenders re-entering the correctional system to repeat the same programmes to meet their parole requirements. The risk factors of female offending identified within the study include poverty, anger, and drug use. Although the Department of Correctional Services has firm policy documents in place, poor implementation of these policies has failed the offenders and resulted in increased rates of recidivism. This study has successfully achieved its objectives by exploring current rehabilitation programmes, identifying the limitations of these rehabilitation programmes, and developing offence specific programmes such as career guidance for female offenders.
Exploring learner resilience to school violence in a township secondary school in Durban KwaZulu-Natal.
(2019) Kistnasamy, Bonita Adele.; Gopal, Nirmala Devi.
The purpose of this study was to explore learner resilience to school violence in a township secondary school in Chatsworth near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Specifically, the study sought to describe the nature of school violence, identify and describe the internal characteristics of resilient school learners, determine the external factors that contribute to resilience of school learners, determine what skills resilient school learners in a township school use to cope with school violence, and develop a framework that fosters resilience among learners. A simultaneous mixed methods approach of both qualitative and quantitative study designs was adopted. The sample comprised of 52 Learners, 6 Educators, the principal, the Head of Department for Life Orientation (LOHOD) and 7 Learner Parents. The quantitative data collection component used the Resilience Scale for Middle-adolescents in a Township School (R-MATS) questionnaire, administered to the 52 learners, and the qualitative data collection component used face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions with 12 Learners, 6 Educators, the principal, the LOHOD and 7 Learner Parents. The main factors seen as constituting risk for township school learners were that a lot of violence was seen around the community, there were many stressors, and participants spoke of bad life experiences. Among external factors, school environment was found to be the most lacking for those learners who reported that they fought a lot at school. Results indicated a neglect of problem learners by teachers, or an inability to deal with their problems. Some of the coping skills mentioned were positive commitment towards learning, taking part in extramural activities such as sports and music, and having a positive attitude towards life. The study recommends a framework that combines both the invitational education framework and the resilience wheel framework into one framework named ‘Invitational Resiliency Framework’.
Investigating private security service providers’ compliance with relevant legislations in selected drinking establishments in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
(2023) Mbhele, Nkosingiphile Modeccai.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
One of the major driving forces in the evolution of policing has been the growth and expansion of the security sector. In the global context, the private security sector employs more security personnel than are employed by most governments. South Africa and the United States in particular depend heavily on private security companies for the safety of their citizenry, and the regulation of the private security sector is therefore crucial to ensure compliance with the law. However, although they have authority over substantial portions of metropolitan territory, the private security field receives less attention than the formal police force in terms of legal requirements and regulations. Moreover, there is a new field of employment within the private security industry for people who are commonly referred to as ‘bouncers’ who work predominantly in bars and clubs. Unfortunately, the unauthorized or unregulated employment of bouncers who work in the security industry is a problem that occurs everywhere. In the South African context, very limited research has been conducted on the non-compliance of bouncers with legal requirements, and this study endeavoured to fill this gap. The study used a mixed methods approach to achieve its objectives; hence both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed. It was decided to utilize a triangulated mixed methods design as it would be inappropriate to prioritize or give more weight to one approach over the other. The result was a fully mixed approach giving contemporaneous and equal status to the two approaches. Four key components, namely the study objectives, type of data and operation, type of analysis, and type of inference, were therefore given equal attention in terms of qualitative and qualitative data analysis. A desired sample was targeted and recruited using the non-probability sampling strategy. Two Private Security Industry Regulation Authority (PSiRA) employees who worked in law enforcement and compliance departments were included in the sample, while 46 bouncers, 40 customers from various selected drinking establishments, and 8 management members from the selected drinking businesses were also included. The findings revealed that the majority of establishments that employed these bouncers did not comply with the rules and regulations of PSiRA as they were neither in possession of a PSiRA accredited certificate nor registered with this oversight body. This means that the drinking establishments hired and managed bouncers based on their internal criteria regardless of the legal requirement to be registered as a private security service provider. The study further discovered that the managers of these establishments were not aware of the requirement to be registered with PSiRA as the regulator of private security service providers. However, the patrons of the establishments under study generally felt safe in these drinking establishments and it was also found that violence and aggression were not common in these spaces. Three theories were used to analyse the data, find correlations, and understand how bouncers, customers, and bar and club managers behaved and why they behaved the way they did. The findings may therefore by used to forecast future tendencies and trends in this industry and to offer recommendations for improvement. The victim precipitation theory, which contends that victims may unwittingly or intentionally contribute to their victimization, the social disorganization theory, which contends that the presence of appropriate regulation and enforcement can have an impact on behaviour but that their absence will cause the collapse and disarray of society (as is evidenced by the current state of anomie), and the frustration aggression theory, which contends that failure to achieve a goal is frustrating and, if it continues, will escalate into aggressiveness, were the theories that were selected.
Money laundering risks and the corruption factor, its management within the financial sector of Zimbabwe (1983-2017+)
(2022) Chikomba, Collins Prosper.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.; De Wet, Johan Andrew.
This empiric contextual study on ML risks and the corruption factor and its management within Zimbabwe’s financial sector’ covering period (1983 to 2017) was undertaken to explore and bring better understanding of the phenomena: influences, nexus, ramifications and in the final, propose measures to enhance the effectiveness of AC & AML regimes in the country. Built on available conceptual literature and the empirical evaluation of multiple Zimbabwean contextual case studies in which intermediary institutions (banks/financial institutions and public officials respectively: their owner executives/management, and, their opposite in government, (hereinafter) cited as (PEPs) were/are implicated, the study employed a multiple/mixed case study design of quantitative approach, coupled with the utilisation of qualitative secondary data collection approaches dictated to by the aim and objectives of the study. The ‘head office’ approach, mirrored on the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in their ‘Retail Crime Costs’ surveys (1994): that of accessing target respondents at various of their organisations outlets to obtain data by postal questionnaire(s), was used on a drop and pick basis, in combination with door to door visits, e-mails and, follow-ups by phone and direct interviews. at (Police HQ, Ministry of Justice and the two banks). The approach is credited for accessing and aggregating large sample size data in good time and, at relatively low cost. Guided also by the overriding aim and objectives, a synthesis of two time-honoured, and, contemporary criminological theories in the main: the rational choice, and, social determinist perspective, complemented by four choice concepts: 1. ‘Public choice concept by Caiden (2001)’ et.al., 2. Bad apple theory by Graaf, (2003); 3. Situational action theory; and, 4. Organizational culture theory by Wilkstrom (2004); all, relevant, leading to a discourse that seek to explain factors contributing to corruption and ML and, their control using a triangulation of measures mainly: situational, and social plus tertiary, were employed to benchmark the research. The findings, broadly considered, reveal among others things that, firstly and secondly; the link between corruption and ML is symbiotic and, at least two fold in that the proceeds of corruption, particularly when substantial, are prone to be laundered, and that, when conjoined, the effects of corruption and poor governance can weaken the successful operations of AML regimes. Third but not last was/is that, corruption and ML collectively can, prove difficult to accomplish as the mutual relationship between them tends to be historically and bureaucratically skewed. In closing, are recommendations for banks and government to help enhance the effectiveness of existing and new AML structures/regimes, proliferated with justified emphasis on improved enforcement, legislations and regulatory measures (e.g.), emplacement of human, legal, technical and operation capacity (where non exist). Included also is under (Chapter 7), is the ‘premise’ of ‘cross-organisational isomorphism’: learning from other organisations, and/or, other people’s grand disaster experiences akin to the grand financial disasters suffered by the Zimbabwean victim banks studied herein – by way of communication through security risk awareness and prevention education and specific training.
National development plan: analysis of South African police service vision for 2030 to build safer communities.
(2022) Zulu, Bongiwe Matilda.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.
Chapter 12 of the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 aims to create an environment in South Africa (SA) where people living in the country will feel safe at home, on the street, at school, at work and in public spaces, and have no fear of crime. The NDP emphasises the safety and security of women and children. It further suggests an integrated approach to resolving the root causes of crime that involves an active citizenry and interrelated responsibilities and coordinated service delivery by both the state and non-state actors. This study sought to analyse how the South African Police Service (SAPS) was implementing the NDP Vision 2030 in building safer communities. It focused on the SAPS implementation of Chapter 12 of the NDP Vision 2030. In addition, it examined the attitudes and perceptions of actors and implementers regarding the NDP implementation within the SAPS. It analysed the translation of the NDP chapter 12’s five priority areas, and the SAPS understanding, alignment and internalisation of the NDP vision of building safer communities. It further examined the challenges the SAPS experienced and the progress it made in implementing the five priority areas in building safer communities. This study covered public policy implementation, theory of change and internalisation as conceptual frameworks. The study adopted mixed methodology as both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. Literature and document analysis and reviews were conducted. Questionnaires were distributed to collect data from Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape. The qualitative methodology consisted of a total of 306 community participants and 397 police participants who responded to a single public opinion question (Appendix 1) and a total of 13 individual experts who responded to 12 questions during semi-structured interviews (Appendix 2). A total of 807 (42,3%) police officers and 1 101 (57,7%) community members responded on the quantitative questionnaire (Appendix 3). The raw data gathered from the quantitative approach were captured on the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) system and recorded. The data gathered from qualitative approach were grouped, categorised and themed. Eventually, they were analysed and interpreted. The findings of the study confirmed that the NDP was not without deep-rooted crises and factors influencing policy implementation in SA. These crises included failure to translate policies into long-term plans and lack of planning systems and competencies to implement policies. There were many legislative, policy and strategic response trajectories towards building safer communities in place, but there was lack of institutionalisation, monitoring and evaluation of their impact on community safety. A steady decline in communities feel safe nullified the NDP vision of the people living in SA feeling safe and having no fear of crime. Adverse basic living, social, health and economic conditions for the people of SA and ineffective execution of programmes to improve these conditions impacted negatively on community safety. The study validated the prevalence of juvenile delinquency and lack of trust and confidence between the police and communities. Based on theoretical framework of this study, a conclusion on the tripartite relationship between three interdependent critical variables in achieving safer communities was drawn. The interdependence of these variables on the policy implementation theory framework was founded on NDP implementation and theory of change. The researcher’s proposed Safer Community Model and Proactive and Integrated Model for Crime and Violence Prevention and the internalisation theory were grounded on the commitment of actors and implementers in shaping the direction of safer communities.

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