CMY3701 Assignment 1 (100% ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 18 August 2025

CMY3701 Assignment 1 (100% ANSWERS) Semester 2 2025 - DUE 18 August 2025....... Case Study: Killing of teacher by learner sends shockwaves (Adapted from T. Setena, Bloem EXPRESS, 2022) Matefo Mphosela, a 35-year-old physical science teacher, was fatally stabbed by a 21-year-old Grade 12 learner in Ikgomotseng township. The learner had been taught by Mphosela at Kagisano Combined School in Soutpan. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the incident shocked the local community and drew responses from provincial education authorities. The event occurred outside of school premises, in the teacher’s home. New Assignment Questions: 1.1. Critically evaluate how the social structure of Ikgomotseng township may have influenced the learner’s behaviour, using strain theory as a theoretical framework. In your discussion, refer to at least one version of strain theory (e.g., Merton’s, Agnew’s) and show how blocked opportunities or structural strain may lead to violent behaviour in a youth offender. (20 marks) 1.2. Using the concept of collective efficacy, discuss how the community could play a role in preventing similar incidents in the future. Support your answer with examples from the case study and relevant criminological literature. (5 marks) The Free State Department of Education mourns the death of a female teacher, Matefo Mphosela (35), who taught at the Kagisano Combined School in Soutpan. She was reportedly fatally stabbed in her home by a 21-year-old Grade 12 learner from the same school. The motive is currently unknown. The teacher, remembered as a dedicated educator, had significantly improved the school’s academic results over the past three years. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about violence in schools. Question 1.1 Critically discuss how the breakdown of informal social controls in communities contributes to violent behaviour, with reference to the key assumptions of social control theory. (20 marks) Question 1.2 Using Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory, explain the possible reasons for the learner’s deviant behaviour. In your answer, refer to each of the four bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief). (10 marks)A 35-year-old woman was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Mokopane Regional Court for the murder of her twin sister at Ga Mogotlane village in Limpopo. According to Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mahaba, Tshepho Mogoshadi Mphahlele was found guilty of brutally killing her twin sister on 18 January 2023. “During the trial, the court heard how the accused attacked her twin sister after they got into a heated argument and she stabbed her with a knife several times until she died at their residence,” Mashaba said. After the murder, Mphahlele chopped her sister’s body up with an axe, before fleeing the scene. Source: J. Maromo (2023). Woman sentenced to 15 years in jail for brutal murder of her twin sister, chopping her body with an axe. Multimedia Journalist (IOL News), 06 December 2023. Available at: Based on scientific literature and the newspaper article above, answer the following questions: SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1. Provide a detailed discussion on the criminal behaviour patterns of twins. (10) 1.2 Describe the relationship between hormonal levels and criminal behaviour in female offenders. (10) The Free State Department of Education mourns the death of a female teacher, Matefo Mphosela (35), who taught at the Kagisano Combined School in Soutpan. According to the department, she died after fatally stabbed with a knife allegedly by a learner from the same school. The incident occurred last night at about 21:00. Reportedly, Mphosela was attacked in her house in the Ikgomotseng township. The assailant is a 21-year-old male. He was arrested shortly after fatally stabbing Mphosela. The motive of the teacher’s murder is unknown at this stage. Howard Ndaba, spokesperson of the department, said the assailant was a Gr. 12 learner who was taught mathematics and physical science by the deceased teacher. He said the MEC of Education, Tate Makgoe, has commended the police’s prompt arrest of the suspect, adding that he will be visiting the teacher’s bereaved family in Botshabelo the next day. According to Nameng Sehloho, the school principal, Mphosela was an extremely hard-working and committed teacher, referring to the Gr. 12 results from the previous three years. “In 2019 the pass rate for physical science was 85%, then 82% in 2020, and 84.2% in 2021. We have lost a consummate educator, a fountain of knowledge and a paragon of the noble teaching profession,” said Sehloho. Source: T. Setena. Killing of teacher by learner sends shockwaves. Bloem EXPRESS available at: (accessed on 25 June 2025). Based on scientific literature and the newspaper article above, answer question 1.2The Free State Department of Education mourns the death of teacher Matefo Mphosela (35), who was fatally stabbed—allegedly by a Grade 12 learner from Kagisano Combined School. The incident, which took place at the teacher's home in Ikgomotseng township, has left the school and wider community in shock. While the motive remains unclear, the learner, a 21-year-old male, was arrested shortly afterward. NEW QUESTION: 1.1 Critically analyse how environmental and community-level factors, as explained by social ecology theory and social disorganisation theory, may have influenced the learner’s behaviour. In your discussion, consider how structural issues like poverty, family disruption, and urban decay may contribute to violent crime. (20 marks) 1.2 Based on your understanding of social cohesion and informal social control, propose two community-based interventions that might reduce the risk of such crimes in future. (5 marks) SECTION A QUESTION 1 1.1. Critically discuss the social disorganisation theory. (20) 1.2 Explain the learner’s deviant behaviour reported in the newspaper article above by applying the social disorganisation theory. The Free State Department of Education mourns the death of a female teacher, Matefo Mphosela (35), who taught at the Kagisano Combined School in Soutpan. She was reportedly fatally stabbed in her home by a 21-year-old Grade 12 learner from the same school. The motive is currently unknown. The teacher, remembered as a dedicated educator, had significantly improved the school’s academic results over the past three years. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about violence in schools. Question 1.1 Critically discuss how the breakdown of informal social controls in communities contributes to violent behaviour, with reference to the key assumptions of social control theory. (20 marks) Question 1.2 Using Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory, explain the possible reasons for the learner’s deviant behaviour. In your answer, refer to each of the four bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, belief). (10 marks) The Free State Department of Education mourns the death of teacher Matefo Mphosela (35), who was fatally stabbed—allegedly by a Grade 12 learner from Kagisano Combined School. The incident, which took place at the teacher's home in Ikgomotseng township, has left the school and wider community in shock. While the motive remains unclear, the learner, a 21-year-old male, was arrested shortly afterward. NEW QUESTION: 1.1 Critically analyse how environmental and community-level factors, as explained by social ecology theory and social disorganisation theory, may have influenced the learner’s behaviour. In your discussion, consider how structural issues like poverty, family disruption, and urban decay may contribute to violent crime. (20 marks) 1.2 Based on your understanding of social cohesion and informal social control, propose two community-based interventions that might reduce the risk of such crimes in future. (5 marks)