Briefly discuss any 5 factors contributing to violent crime in
South Africa.
1. The period of transition:
The transition to a democratic society opened new areas for the
development of crime.
Due to the restructuring of the criminal justice system, the abolition of
certain laws and the promulgation of new ones, many criminal justice
functions have been weakened, creating more opportunities to commit
crime.
As change and democratisation processes are reshaped, new areas for the
development of crime open.
2. A violent past:
Those part of “the struggle” (Apartheid) justifies certain forms of violence
as legitimate weapons to use against the system.
This results in a society in which the use of violence to achieve political
and personal goals is becoming widespread.
3. A culture of violence:
Culture of violence among the youth
Young people are encouraged or urged to get involved in the “people’s
war”.
The effects of apartheid and continue exposure to violence (home, school
and neighbourhoods) produces a destructive culture which manifest itself
in “murderous intolerance”.
Resolving problems and conflict through violence has long been a central
aspect of South African culture.
Violent and aggressive school pupils are modelling what they are directly
witnessing and being exposed to in their homes/ communities.
4. Rapid Urbanisation:
Crime rates are higher in cities than in rural areas.
Population density leads to competition for limited resources, which
contributes to greater stress and increased conflict which, in turn,
contributes to crime (factors such as overcrowding, unemployment and
increased consumer demands contribute to crime).
In addition, high levels of gang activity and the easy access of firearms
also contributes to crimes of violence.
With the abolition of influx control in SA , the rate of urbanisation
increased and there was an increase in unemployment and poverty.
High levels of urbanisation results in higher levels of urban
unemployment. This is directly/ indirectly generates incidence of crime.
Prolonged unemployment may result in family tensions, arguments and
fights.
, Lack of basic commodities necessary to survive may force people to steal
food. It may also result in housebreaking and stock theft, which is known
as potslagting.
Unemployment in urban areas may lead to an increase in the exploitation
of children, to prostitution , drug abuse and other criminal activities.
Unemployed men tend to develop a negative self-image because they
cannot provide for the dependants. In reaction to chronic unemployment ,
men often develop a macho image and lifestyle , which usually includes
alcohol or drug abuse.
These men associate with friends who live the same lifestyle and use
violence and abuse to achieve their aims. They develop the attitude that
women are inferior and are only there to fulfil men’s sexual needs.
Relative deprivation generates growing needs and the aspiration for a
different lifestyle. In order to afford all of this, people need substantial
amounts of money, despite the fact that they sometimes lack even the
means to basic foodstuff.
As a result of the rapid influx of people from rural areas and neighbouring
countries the government cannot meet the demand for low-cost housing.
Resulting in the development of large squatter camps in open spaces of
the cities and in the backyards of exciting housing schemes.
Difficult to safeguard shacks; therefore they are soft targets.
Overcrowded shacks where adults and children lie together without any
privacy create poor conditions for the socialisation of children.
5. Vigilantism:
People often fear crime and feel insecure, and some people lose
confidence in the official law enforcement structures
This cause them to create their own structures to ensure their safety and
security, which results in the development of vigilant groups
6. HIV/AIDS:
The HIV infection levels are very high in South Africa.
Many police officers and other officials serving the criminal justice system
also contract the disease and may become demoralised and medically
unfit to render a proper service.
Many children are orphaned and have to grow up with either single
parents or no parents at all. Households headed by children are no longer
uncommon, because elder brothers and sisters are often the only family
members who are left to take care of younger children.
This affects the socialisation of children.
There is an indication that certain beliefs about HIV/ AIDS can contribute
to the rape of children. Some people believe that they can be cured of
HIV/ AIDS by having intercourse with a virgin or an uninfected person.
7. Conditions conducting to the growth of organised crime:
The following conditions are conducive to the growth of organised crime:
South Africa.
1. The period of transition:
The transition to a democratic society opened new areas for the
development of crime.
Due to the restructuring of the criminal justice system, the abolition of
certain laws and the promulgation of new ones, many criminal justice
functions have been weakened, creating more opportunities to commit
crime.
As change and democratisation processes are reshaped, new areas for the
development of crime open.
2. A violent past:
Those part of “the struggle” (Apartheid) justifies certain forms of violence
as legitimate weapons to use against the system.
This results in a society in which the use of violence to achieve political
and personal goals is becoming widespread.
3. A culture of violence:
Culture of violence among the youth
Young people are encouraged or urged to get involved in the “people’s
war”.
The effects of apartheid and continue exposure to violence (home, school
and neighbourhoods) produces a destructive culture which manifest itself
in “murderous intolerance”.
Resolving problems and conflict through violence has long been a central
aspect of South African culture.
Violent and aggressive school pupils are modelling what they are directly
witnessing and being exposed to in their homes/ communities.
4. Rapid Urbanisation:
Crime rates are higher in cities than in rural areas.
Population density leads to competition for limited resources, which
contributes to greater stress and increased conflict which, in turn,
contributes to crime (factors such as overcrowding, unemployment and
increased consumer demands contribute to crime).
In addition, high levels of gang activity and the easy access of firearms
also contributes to crimes of violence.
With the abolition of influx control in SA , the rate of urbanisation
increased and there was an increase in unemployment and poverty.
High levels of urbanisation results in higher levels of urban
unemployment. This is directly/ indirectly generates incidence of crime.
Prolonged unemployment may result in family tensions, arguments and
fights.
, Lack of basic commodities necessary to survive may force people to steal
food. It may also result in housebreaking and stock theft, which is known
as potslagting.
Unemployment in urban areas may lead to an increase in the exploitation
of children, to prostitution , drug abuse and other criminal activities.
Unemployed men tend to develop a negative self-image because they
cannot provide for the dependants. In reaction to chronic unemployment ,
men often develop a macho image and lifestyle , which usually includes
alcohol or drug abuse.
These men associate with friends who live the same lifestyle and use
violence and abuse to achieve their aims. They develop the attitude that
women are inferior and are only there to fulfil men’s sexual needs.
Relative deprivation generates growing needs and the aspiration for a
different lifestyle. In order to afford all of this, people need substantial
amounts of money, despite the fact that they sometimes lack even the
means to basic foodstuff.
As a result of the rapid influx of people from rural areas and neighbouring
countries the government cannot meet the demand for low-cost housing.
Resulting in the development of large squatter camps in open spaces of
the cities and in the backyards of exciting housing schemes.
Difficult to safeguard shacks; therefore they are soft targets.
Overcrowded shacks where adults and children lie together without any
privacy create poor conditions for the socialisation of children.
5. Vigilantism:
People often fear crime and feel insecure, and some people lose
confidence in the official law enforcement structures
This cause them to create their own structures to ensure their safety and
security, which results in the development of vigilant groups
6. HIV/AIDS:
The HIV infection levels are very high in South Africa.
Many police officers and other officials serving the criminal justice system
also contract the disease and may become demoralised and medically
unfit to render a proper service.
Many children are orphaned and have to grow up with either single
parents or no parents at all. Households headed by children are no longer
uncommon, because elder brothers and sisters are often the only family
members who are left to take care of younger children.
This affects the socialisation of children.
There is an indication that certain beliefs about HIV/ AIDS can contribute
to the rape of children. Some people believe that they can be cured of
HIV/ AIDS by having intercourse with a virgin or an uninfected person.
7. Conditions conducting to the growth of organised crime:
The following conditions are conducive to the growth of organised crime:
