The right to security, including the freedom from violent crime is a human right provided for in the Bill of Rights, specifically Section 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. This right applies to all who live in the country.
World Health Organisation (WHO) defines violence as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation” and crime “an action that violates the law, regardless of whether or not it involves
violence.”
Drawing from the definition of violent crime above, it is evident there can never be a one-size-fits-all solution to dealing with it.
Possible causes of crime
As one zooms into crime from a socioeconomic and developmental context, South Africa’s triple difficulties of poverty, inequality and unemployment are well established, bringing in a sociology perspective in relation to the causes of the occurrence. The country’s development blueprint, National Development Plan (NDP) records that: “The combination of poor and inadequate state welfare services and poverty and inequality produces social problems and high-risk behaviour.”
Additional causes include family difficulties, peer pressure, delinquency, truancy and substance misuse, making it difficult to pinpoint a single cause of crime and necessitating a multifaceted approach to dealing with violent crime.
Crime statistics for 2022/23 Quarter 3 announced by the minister of police point to a 11.6% and 7.2% increase for all contact and property related crimes.
SA’s interventions
Deliverables by the criminal justice system in South Africa are aligned with the priorities outlined in the NDP towards a crime-free South Africa.
The community policing forum approach is specifically linked to the priorities on building safety using an integrated approach and building communityparticipation in community safety. The government’s Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Plan, which addresses the root causes of crime, will be expedited to improve community and national safety and security. After all, dealing with crime remains a multi-stakeholder responsibility and effort, that is the government, communities, civil society and the private sector.
Many international syndicates have made South Africa a springboard from which they’ve conducted crimes of an international nature, targeting first world countries. One such recent incident is a report on three Nigerian nationals, conducting their fraudulent activities from Johannesburg, who were nabbed for theft amounting to R116-million.
The three were allegedly targeting US companies, hacking them, and stealing information. They will now be extradited to the US, where there could face very lengthy federal prison sentences.
This was a joint operation between the Hawks, working together with the US Homeland Security Secret Service, US department of justice and the Interpol office in Pretoria. This type of relationship is highly valued as most cybercrimes are targeted at the UK and the US.
Even though South Africa has been grey-listed and we have had capacity and infrastructure issues, South Africa sent a clear message to international criminals they cannot make South Africa their playground.
The way forward
Lately, South Africa expressed serious concerns about the torching of trucks in different provinces, which is denting the image and reputation of the country. The level of damage to property has been described as equivalent to economic sabotage and the consequences in terms of investor confidence may be severe. The timing of these heinous acts is also disturbing, understanding that South Africa was on the verge of hosting international dignitaries attending the Brics summit.
To this end, South Africans and investors are rightfully anxious about the negative impact violent crimes on economic activity. The prosecution should work hard to ensure that there is success in the cases emanating from all law enforcement investigations to ensure that perpetrators are bought to book.
In terms of ensuring the work of all the parts of the criminal justice system is effective, all oversight mechanisms should be functional while there should be clear and deliberate communication plan on steps taken to restore the reputation of the JCPS cluster, thus investor confidence.
- Molobi is the former head of Mission for South Africa in Milan, Italy and is currently the non-executive director at the Global Council for The Promotion of International Trade
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