Identify and discuss the causes of house robberies:
1. Availability of illegal firearms:
The free availability of firearms is an important contributory factor in the high
incidence of house robbery in South Africa.
This free supply of firearms, together with the brutality and total contempt for
the lives of others displayed by robbers, make a deadly combination.
House robbers are extremely violent and do not hesitate to use maximum force.
93% of robbers admitted to having used a firearm during a house robbery.
97% of these house robbers acquired the weapons illegally.
55% of the house robbers stole the firearm themselves.
The firearms that are commonly used in house robberies are pistols and
revolvers.
Firearms are used to intimidate the victims.
House robbers cold bloodedly shot their victims without stealing anything.
2. Illegal immigration:
Although no figures are available of the illegal immigrants in South Africa, a
study on farm attacks revealed that illegal immigrants had been involved in
some of the attacks.
According to studies by Zinn, 17% of house robbers had been involved in farm
attacks and that these were essentially house robberies that had been called
farm attacks because they had taken place on farms.
3. Poverty and unemployment:
House robberies and motor vehicle hijackings are more common in Gauteng
because of the geographical location of the province, the high population
density, and the visible gap between rich and poor.
Gauteng is the business centre of South Africa and it offers the most opportunity
for people to improve their financial situation.
One can assume that many people do this in an acceptable, law abiding way,
but the cities and residential areas of Gauteng are ideal areas for house robbers
to operate in.
4. Greed and financial gain:
Many robbers are motivated by avarice (greed) and self-enrichment.
Money and luxuries such as jewellery, firearms and electrical equipment (for
example HD LCD televisions and DVD/BluRay players) pose as motivation for
house robberies.
Houses are chosen based on the robbers’ desire to maintain a luxurious
lifestyle.
Robbers like extravagant lifestyle and value expensive clothes, jewellery and
television sets.
The fact that plundered goods are sold for cash as fast as possible is irrefutable
evidence of the financial motivation behind house robberies.
Materialism is a very important motive for house robbery.
1. Availability of illegal firearms:
The free availability of firearms is an important contributory factor in the high
incidence of house robbery in South Africa.
This free supply of firearms, together with the brutality and total contempt for
the lives of others displayed by robbers, make a deadly combination.
House robbers are extremely violent and do not hesitate to use maximum force.
93% of robbers admitted to having used a firearm during a house robbery.
97% of these house robbers acquired the weapons illegally.
55% of the house robbers stole the firearm themselves.
The firearms that are commonly used in house robberies are pistols and
revolvers.
Firearms are used to intimidate the victims.
House robbers cold bloodedly shot their victims without stealing anything.
2. Illegal immigration:
Although no figures are available of the illegal immigrants in South Africa, a
study on farm attacks revealed that illegal immigrants had been involved in
some of the attacks.
According to studies by Zinn, 17% of house robbers had been involved in farm
attacks and that these were essentially house robberies that had been called
farm attacks because they had taken place on farms.
3. Poverty and unemployment:
House robberies and motor vehicle hijackings are more common in Gauteng
because of the geographical location of the province, the high population
density, and the visible gap between rich and poor.
Gauteng is the business centre of South Africa and it offers the most opportunity
for people to improve their financial situation.
One can assume that many people do this in an acceptable, law abiding way,
but the cities and residential areas of Gauteng are ideal areas for house robbers
to operate in.
4. Greed and financial gain:
Many robbers are motivated by avarice (greed) and self-enrichment.
Money and luxuries such as jewellery, firearms and electrical equipment (for
example HD LCD televisions and DVD/BluRay players) pose as motivation for
house robberies.
Houses are chosen based on the robbers’ desire to maintain a luxurious
lifestyle.
Robbers like extravagant lifestyle and value expensive clothes, jewellery and
television sets.
The fact that plundered goods are sold for cash as fast as possible is irrefutable
evidence of the financial motivation behind house robberies.
Materialism is a very important motive for house robbery.
