CMY2601 Assignment 1
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Illegal Immigration and Drug Trafficking in South Africa
The link between illegal immigrants and drug trafficking in South Africa is complex and
often socio-economically driven. While it is crucial not to overgeneralize and make
xenophobic assumptions, some connections have been identified:
Permeable Borders: South Africa's extensive, often poorly patrolled borders offer an easy
point of entry into the country for individuals. The same vulnerability is exploited by
transnational criminal syndicates for the trafficking of drugs, arms, and humans.
Undocumented aliens, often desperate for subsistence, can be tempted or forced into serving
as couriers for such drug networks.
Economic Need: The majority of illegal immigrants arrive in South Africa with little or no
means. Lack of legal jobs along with welfare assistance might propel other individuals into
crime, including drug dealing, to survive. They are vulnerable to recruitment by organized
crime factions that control the drug trade.
Transshipment Hub: South Africa serves as an important transit hub for international drug
trade, with heroin and cocaine transshipping through to Europe and other destinations. Illegal
migrants may be used as cheap and disposable labour within these networks, since they will
be less likely to be picked up by the police and repatriated than go through a lengthy legal
process.
In summary, a multi-faceted response involving addressing both the criminal aspect and the
humanitarian situation must be adopted in order to combat the problem. This can be done by:
Strengthening Border Security: South Africa must invest in equipment, manpower, and
infrastructure to effectively seal its borders. This involves the deployment of drones,
integrated surveillance systems, and a police and military presence at high-risk areas.
Regional Cooperation: In light of the international nature of drug trafficking, there is a need
to cultivate closer cooperation with adjacent states. This could be through information
sharing, collaborative operations along the borders, as well as collaboration on strategies to
counter organized crime in the SADC region.
Sealing Socio-Economic Root Causes: Combat of illegal immigration root causes is of
extreme significance. This involves ensuring better economic opportunities and stability in
sending countries and thereby reducing the "push factors" to migration. In South Africa,
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE
August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Illegal Immigration and Drug Trafficking in South Africa
The link between illegal immigrants and drug trafficking in South Africa is complex and
often socio-economically driven. While it is crucial not to overgeneralize and make
xenophobic assumptions, some connections have been identified:
Permeable Borders: South Africa's extensive, often poorly patrolled borders offer an easy
point of entry into the country for individuals. The same vulnerability is exploited by
transnational criminal syndicates for the trafficking of drugs, arms, and humans.
Undocumented aliens, often desperate for subsistence, can be tempted or forced into serving
as couriers for such drug networks.
Economic Need: The majority of illegal immigrants arrive in South Africa with little or no
means. Lack of legal jobs along with welfare assistance might propel other individuals into
crime, including drug dealing, to survive. They are vulnerable to recruitment by organized
crime factions that control the drug trade.
Transshipment Hub: South Africa serves as an important transit hub for international drug
trade, with heroin and cocaine transshipping through to Europe and other destinations. Illegal
migrants may be used as cheap and disposable labour within these networks, since they will
be less likely to be picked up by the police and repatriated than go through a lengthy legal
process.
In summary, a multi-faceted response involving addressing both the criminal aspect and the
humanitarian situation must be adopted in order to combat the problem. This can be done by:
Strengthening Border Security: South Africa must invest in equipment, manpower, and
infrastructure to effectively seal its borders. This involves the deployment of drones,
integrated surveillance systems, and a police and military presence at high-risk areas.
Regional Cooperation: In light of the international nature of drug trafficking, there is a need
to cultivate closer cooperation with adjacent states. This could be through information
sharing, collaborative operations along the borders, as well as collaboration on strategies to
counter organized crime in the SADC region.
Sealing Socio-Economic Root Causes: Combat of illegal immigration root causes is of
extreme significance. This involves ensuring better economic opportunities and stability in
sending countries and thereby reducing the "push factors" to migration. In South Africa,
