CMY4804
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 15 SEPTEMBER 2026
, TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Introduction ....................................................................... 2
2. Definitions ........................................................................ 3
2.1 Serial Rape ................................................................. 3
2.2 Risk Assessment ......................................................... 3
2.3 Pre-sentence Report ..................................................... 4
3. Risk Assessment & Profiling ............................................... 5
3.1 Risk Assessment ......................................................... 5
3.2 Criminal Profiling ......................................................... 7
3.3 Synergistic Role ........................................................... 8
4. Crime Analysis .................................................................. 9
4.1 Biographical Synopsis ................................................. 9
4.2 Offence Analysis ......................................................... 9
4.3 Motives & Causes ...................................................... 10
4.4 Risk Indicators ........................................................... 11
4.5 Offender Profile .......................................................... 11
5. Theoretical Framework ...................................................... 12
5.1 Routine Activity Theory .............................................. 12
5.2 General Strain Theory ............................................... 13
5.3 Social Learning Theory .............................................. 14
5.4 Summary ................................................................... 15
6. Conclusion ........................................................................ 16
7. Declaration Form .............................................................. 18
8. References ....................................................................... 19
1
, 1. INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence (GBV) and related violent crimes remain a serious challenge in
the South African criminal justice system. The case of Simphieve Xolani Mkhwanazi,
who was sentenced to two life terms and 105 years’ imprisonment for GBV and related
violent offences, shows the serious nature of these crimes and the need to carefully
consider an offender’s risk and criminal behaviour when determining a sentence.
As a forensic criminologist appointed by the state to prepare a pre-sentence report, the
purpose is to provide a criminological evaluation of the offender to assist the court in
deciding on a fair and appropriate sentence. Terblanche (1999:10) explains that
criminology is the study of crime, criminals, victims, punishment, and the prevention and
control of crime. A criminologist therefore looks at the information surrounding criminal
behaviour and uses it to understand and explain why crime occurs (CMY4804 Study
Guide, 2024:16). Risk assessment and criminal profiling are important in the South
African criminal justice system because they help to identify factors linked to an
offender’s behaviour and the possible risk of future offending. It is also important to
examine the offender’s criminal behaviour and the nature of the offences committed.
Criminological theories can further help to explain the factors that may have influenced
or contributed to the offender’s behaviour.
The focus is on understanding criminal behaviour from a criminological perspective.
Psychological, social work, and legal perspectives are not the main focus. The
information is based on the National Prosecuting Authority (2026) and relevant
criminological literature.
2
ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 15 SEPTEMBER 2026
, TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Introduction ....................................................................... 2
2. Definitions ........................................................................ 3
2.1 Serial Rape ................................................................. 3
2.2 Risk Assessment ......................................................... 3
2.3 Pre-sentence Report ..................................................... 4
3. Risk Assessment & Profiling ............................................... 5
3.1 Risk Assessment ......................................................... 5
3.2 Criminal Profiling ......................................................... 7
3.3 Synergistic Role ........................................................... 8
4. Crime Analysis .................................................................. 9
4.1 Biographical Synopsis ................................................. 9
4.2 Offence Analysis ......................................................... 9
4.3 Motives & Causes ...................................................... 10
4.4 Risk Indicators ........................................................... 11
4.5 Offender Profile .......................................................... 11
5. Theoretical Framework ...................................................... 12
5.1 Routine Activity Theory .............................................. 12
5.2 General Strain Theory ............................................... 13
5.3 Social Learning Theory .............................................. 14
5.4 Summary ................................................................... 15
6. Conclusion ........................................................................ 16
7. Declaration Form .............................................................. 18
8. References ....................................................................... 19
1
, 1. INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence (GBV) and related violent crimes remain a serious challenge in
the South African criminal justice system. The case of Simphieve Xolani Mkhwanazi,
who was sentenced to two life terms and 105 years’ imprisonment for GBV and related
violent offences, shows the serious nature of these crimes and the need to carefully
consider an offender’s risk and criminal behaviour when determining a sentence.
As a forensic criminologist appointed by the state to prepare a pre-sentence report, the
purpose is to provide a criminological evaluation of the offender to assist the court in
deciding on a fair and appropriate sentence. Terblanche (1999:10) explains that
criminology is the study of crime, criminals, victims, punishment, and the prevention and
control of crime. A criminologist therefore looks at the information surrounding criminal
behaviour and uses it to understand and explain why crime occurs (CMY4804 Study
Guide, 2024:16). Risk assessment and criminal profiling are important in the South
African criminal justice system because they help to identify factors linked to an
offender’s behaviour and the possible risk of future offending. It is also important to
examine the offender’s criminal behaviour and the nature of the offences committed.
Criminological theories can further help to explain the factors that may have influenced
or contributed to the offender’s behaviour.
The focus is on understanding criminal behaviour from a criminological perspective.
Psychological, social work, and legal perspectives are not the main focus. The
information is based on the National Prosecuting Authority (2026) and relevant
criminological literature.
2
