Explore publications.

Financial literacy (FL) is a crucial skill set that police officers must possess, particularly in managing their funds during their tenure in the police force and as they approach retirement from their service. The extent of an individual's FL will directly impact the extent of their financial planning knowledge and budgeting abilities required as a police officer, commencing from the initial stages of their career. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the level of FL within the police force, with a particular emphasis on the factors of financial knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. The study employed a simple random sampling technique to gather data from a sample of 68 law enforcement employees stationed in Vosman and Klipfointein. The data was acquired through survey questionnaires. The data were descriptively analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the study suggest that police officers often possess low to moderate levels of FL. However, there is a positive correlation observed between the variables under investigation. The recommendation proposes that the government should implement ongoing training and short-term interventions focused on FL, with a particular emphasis on tailoring these initiatives to individuals' income levels and lifestyles. This study utilized intervention and transformational learning theory to support law enforcement professionals in enhancing their financial planning both prior to and following their employment, by means of financial education.

This article argues that digitization of services is increasingly becoming an international phenomenon. As a case in point, the South African Post Office by its very nature and as part of the global institution requires a serious conversion from traditional service provision to digital and electronic services provision. This article is based on the study that was conducted in the South African Post Office in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Province. From the South African Post Office perspective, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces are referred to as North Region. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the implications of digitization on service delivery in the South African Post Office, focusing in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces (North Region). The study found that service delivery is adversely affected due to non-digitization of postal services. The study recommended interventions that can be employed to improve postal service delivery. The research method employed in the study was of both quantitative and qualitative method. The majority of the respondents strongly agreed that digitization of postal services could improve service delivery and brings more income and service improvement to clients. The article concludes by providing suggestions towards improving service delivery in the South African Post Office by digitizing postal services.

This study aimed to furnish insights into the features and outcomes of positive emotions in the Nkangala district. The reviewed literature indicated that such a topic is under-researched in the Nkangala region. This study employed the affective events theory (AET). The study's research design was both descriptive and correlational and influenced by the positivism paradigm. The sample size of 808 municipal employees was conveniently selected due to not having a sample frame, and other municipal respondents were unwilling to participate in the study. In addition, other managers did not provide researchers with permission letters; hence, the data were collected from four municipalities. The data were collected using a close-ended questionnaire. A validated and reliable scales were analysed in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 28. The results showed that autonomy was the highest feature/predictor of positive emotions. In addition, it was determined that positive emotions predicted job satisfaction. This study found that when municipal managers offer their employees autonomy, it yields happy, joyous and proud employees.  Similarly, managers who provide employees with timely feedback and who do not micro-manage employees create a positive working climate. In addition, it is recommended that supervisors and managers should submit their reports/evaluations to their employees in a timely manner and offer constructive feedback. If it is negative, managers should also provide employees with appropriate support to improve their performance. This is vital since job satisfaction is a proxy of productivity or service delivery.

The study examines whether the customer complaints management policy in the Department of Employment and Labour in the Free State province is effectively and efficiently implemented. Skilful and committed policy implementers are required to ensure that policies are implemented successfully. A descriptive qualitative research design was employed in this study using semi-structured online interviews, to gather data from 20 participants who were purposively selected. The major findings of the study reveals that a lack of clarity and accessibility of complaint channels, inadequate training of newly appointed officials in customer complaint management processes, and user-unfriendliness of the complaint processes flow are prohibiting factors of the implementation of the policy. Additionally, there was a lack of effective communication and coordination among both the internal and external stakeholders, and a noticeable absence of consequence management. The study recommend that the Department of Employment and Labour should consider to design a user-friendly customer complaints management processes flow as well as to incorporate customer complaints module during the induction of newly appointed employees.

Within the largely rural OR Tambo District Municipality (ORTDM), a significant number of community members continue to experience victimization annually. Crime continues to be a persistent issue for both individuals and society at large, with no resolution or justice achieved in its wake. The prevalence of crime in society significantly impacts individuals' behavior, residential choices, and decisions regarding their social activities, including the selection of locations and timing. Typically, individuals tend to experience an increase in fear of becoming a victim of crime, rather than a decrease. This article is characterized by its qualitative approach and use non-probability sampling methodologies. The study aimed to investigate the involvement of traditional leaders in safeguarding women, children, and the elderly from being victimized within the ORTDM community, encompassing the local municipalities of KSD, Ingquza Hill, Mhlontlo, Nyandeni, and Port St. Johns. The primary objective of this discussion paper was to ascertain the specific categories of criminal activities occurring within the territories governed by traditional leaders. This study further demonstrates the significance of examining rural crime and uncovers obstacles that hinder crime prevention in the ORDM. Fifty-eight traditional leaders were interviewed as crucial informants and custodians of the customs of different groups. Traditional leaders, research participants, and community members shared accounts of rape and murder during Imbizos. These incidents involved school-going youngsters and older individuals, including those as old as 95 years. A number of individuals in the neighborhood had paralysis, while others were deprived of their retirement benefits. Traditional leaders argue that, despite this circumstance, the criminal justice system does not give priority to the rights of the victims. The findings together indicate that traditional leaders are involved in the creation, implementation, and monitoring of crime prevention strategies. Nevertheless, the absence of financial support from the government hinders the implementation of crime prevention activities within its jurisdiction. The analysis confirms that crime prevention is an enduring objective. Investing in traditional leaders has the potential to enhance the overall societal well-being.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has implemented a shift system in which police officers are scheduled to work for four consecutive days, resulting in a total of 48 hours per week. The implementation of the 12-hour shift pattern has been found to have an adverse effect on police officers. Consequently, this appears to have a detrimental effect on police effectiveness. Studies investigating the effects of the 12-hour shift have revealed that this work schedule significantly influences the reaction time, sleep patterns, and overall health of police officers, thereby impacting their performance. This study aims to provide a qualitative analysis of the effects of the 12-hour shift on police performance at Pretoria Central (SAPS) Police Station in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data was collected from eight (8) individuals from the SAPS, namely at Pretoria Central Police Station, using semi-structured interviews. The participants have suggested that officials in the SAPS should evaluate the existing shift structure and increase the deployment of police officers at the police station. This would help alleviate the workload of the officers and enhance service delivery.

This qualitative study examined the Self-efficacy perceptions of preservice economics teachers regarding teaching with graphs. Understanding graphs have a major role in future teaching practices however learners find it challenging understanding economics graphs. Using a structured interview of 55 pre-service secondary school teachers, economics self-efficacy items by Bandura self-efficacy framework was used to analyze the data. The study found that student teachers are not confident to teach using graphs but have positive attitude to learn how to plot and interpret graphs. The teaching practices of high school teachers were found to have influenced the low-self-efficacy of most of the participants though they look forward to teaching using graphs. Most participants agreed that plotting, understanding, and interpreting data from graphs as well as presenting information graphically are key skills that all economics teachers and students should master. The research concludes that both high school economics teachers and preservice teachers should be equipped with the necessary skills to understand graph presentation because they both grapple with interpreting and plotting graphs. The research contributes to improving the way graphs are taught because economics teachers must be comfortable with graph presentations. Higher education institutions should increase their effectiveness when teaching introductory economics courses by finding creative ways to help students understand graphical representations of economics content. It is recommended that Teacher Education programs should emphasize the importance of graphs in the teaching of economics and empower student teachers with the necessary skills.

Road traffic accidents are a major, but neglected global public health problem, requiring intensive efforts for effective and sustainable prevention. Of all the systems that people must deal with daily, road transport is the most complex, and the most dangerous. Road safety is an issue of national concern, considering its magnitude, gravity and the consequent negative impacts on the economy, public health and the general welfare of the people in South Africa. Road traffic accidents are a collective responsibility and all major stakeholders need to play their role in road safety and ensure that road users are safe whenever they are on the road. One of the major challenges for road traffic authorities in preventing road traffic accidents in South Africa is the inability of road users to understand and interpret the rules of the road and this contributes to a high rate of fatalities on the road. This qualitative article adopted the non-empirical research design: Systematic review. This study is completely based on the secondary data. A systematic review was done in detail for the collected literature. The key findings indicated that road users do not obey the rules of the road: jaywalking, speeding, driving and walking while impaired contribute to a high rate of fatalities on the road. The findings further indicated that law enforcement officials are not enforcing the law consistently which compromises the road safety project. Based on the findings, the author provided possible recommendations such as providing road safety campaigns throughout the year; capacitating law enforcement officials with resources to prevent road traffic accidents.

This study aimed to determine what general detective attributes are considered professional in the South African Police Service (SAPS) based on public assessments. This study followed a quantitative research approach and utilized a non-probability, purposive, or judgmental sampling technique. The findings confirmed that good attributes such as acting with integrity, in line with the values and ethical standards of the SAPS, expand on earlier studies that suggested informal contact raises public opinion of the police. It could be that those predisposed to be more favorable are likelier to initiate informal contact with officers. In any event, it seems likely that promoting informal social contact may favorably influence public opinion. The SAPS may want to evaluate how they encourage or discourage informal contact with residents. It would seem then, from the findings of this study, that if more general detectives would portray greater attributes when interacting with the public, there would be more legitimacy, less victimization, less fear of crime, lower perceived levels of violent crime, a lower perceived disorder in one’s neighborhood, and higher neighborhood cohesion and control.

Despite the implementation of existing preventive measures, road traffic crashes (RTCs) and fatalities continue to be a significant challenge in South Africa. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of road advocacy messaging implemented by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) within the Durban Metropole region of South Africa. The research design employed in this study was an exploratory qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews. The participants were selected through purposive sampling. The researcher employed a basic random sampling technique to conduct interviews with a sample of 30 participants. This sample consisted of 15 individuals who were Metro Police officials and an additional 15 individuals who were members of the general public. This research identified two primary themes: (1) the efficacy of road safety advocacy messaging and (2) obstacles encountered in the distribution of road safety advocacy messages. Based on the identified themes, the findings of this study suggest that the messages conveyed were unambiguous and suitable. The dissemination of advocacy messages effectively reached all participants within the designated area of study. Nevertheless, it was perceived that additional channels of communication, such as printed posters and radio broadcasts, have to be employed in order to effectively engage road users who may not own access to television media. One specific issue that arose was the matter of terminology. The commercials were predominantly presented in the English language, with isiZulu being the prevailing vernacular language employed. There are several potential avenues for enhancing the effectiveness of the messaging, such as diversifying the media platforms utilized, expanding the linguistic reach, and emphasizing the desired behavioral modifications. Enhancing concurrent law enforcement efforts pertaining to speed and alcohol-impaired driving will bolster the efficacy of road safety initiatives as a whole. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study represents the inaugural comprehensive assessment of a road safety social marketing initiative in the Durban Metropole region. This study aims to provide valuable insights that might support the province and other provincial governments in enhancing their efforts towards road safety.

The objective of this study is to examine and analyze the many factors that contribute to the occurrence of automobile deaths within the Emfuleni Local Municipality. This study employed a hybrid analytics approach, employing a non-probability convenience sampling strategy. The researchers employed a descriptive study methodology to gather a sample of 168 participants, consisting of both traffic cops and motorists. The primary outcomes of the investigation revealed that road configuration, including small roads, hills, and sharp curves, was one of several influential elements in the occurrence of road traffic accidents (RTA). The dataset under analysis reveals that a substantial proportion of respondents possessing a standard 10/matric/grade 12 certificate had a higher level of agreement compared to those with a diploma/bachelor's degree about the primary responsibility of road layout in road traffic accidents (RTAs). The majority of participants identified stray or wild animals as a significant contributing cause to road accidents. Notably, female respondents and motorists residing in Emfuleni Municipality exhibited the highest level of agreement on this matter. Another significant contributing element was the presence of malfunctioning traffic signals, which was widely acknowledged as a causative factor in road collisions. The majority of respondents who possessed a standard 10/matric/grade 12 education exhibited the highest level of agreement. The results ultimately demonstrated that a majority of the participants concurred that a significant portion of the drivers and automobiles present on the road were not suitable for sharing the roads with other drivers, leading to the elevated occurrence of road traffic fatalities. The present circumstance necessitates prompt attention. Suggestions were proposed to provide assistance to the pertinent parties.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the consequences of road accidents and explore novel approaches aimed at promoting safer behavior among road users. The enforcement of road traffic laws serves as a means to generate income while also ensuring compliance with traffic regulations and fostering a safer road infrastructure that is conducive to enhancing the well-being of individuals and bolstering the economy of South Africa. The data collection process utilized an approach based on non-probability sampling, namely intentional sampling. A total of 30 individuals were selected to participate in the study. This sample consisted of government officials (n=13), taxi operators (n=4), taxi commuters (n=8), and senior academics (n=5). The study's results were categorized into three main themes: human error emerged as the primary factor contributing to road traffic fatalities, insufficient allocation of resources to address road fatalities, and the enhancement of law enforcement operating procedures and working hours. These themes were derived from the perspectives of the participants and findings from previous studies in the existing literature. The findings of the study indicate that professional and organizational factors have a more significant impact on dangerous conduct when compared to external and personal factors. The report provides recommendations for mitigating contributory factors by adopting innovative technical devices to avoid and minimize road fatalities. Additionally, it suggests implementing policy-based measures and establishing regulatory organizations to reduce the occurrence of accidents.

The National Peace Accord, signed by all major political parties in 1991, created various structures through which police accountability could be sought. In 1993, the Interim Constitution of South Africa Act 200 of 1993 formalized the establishment of the Community Police Forum (CPF) at police stations. The SAPS Act 68 of 1995 made a formal provision for a partnership between the police and the community in fulfilling the needs of the community regarding policing. CPF aims to ensure police accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in the community, promoting cooperation between the service and the community in fulfilling the community's needs regarding policing and promoting communication between the police and the community. It was established to maintain a partnership between the police and the communities, to jointly identify priorities and solve problems related to crime, disorder, fear, poor police-community relations and service delivery. Therefore, the police's new vision of policing was introduced by setting up CPF at police stations throughout the country. The implementation of community policing through CPFs has brought to bear the complexity, dynamics, and of social and political relationships at both the provincial and local levels. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CPF in crime prevention. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed, and data were collected from 40 community members through face-to-face survey interviews. The research revealed that CPF is ineffective in reducing crime due to the lack of resources to support its functioning. The study recommends proper and frequent communication between the police, CPF and the broader community.

Despite all the migration policies implemented in South Africa and the world at large, the illicit immigrants continue to suffer in the hands of the host communities. This paper seek to address the challenges and experiences of illegal immigrants in South Africa and the hostility by the host communities. In this qualitative study, linguistic data was collected through the focus group discussions with illicit immigrants from different countries in the African continent as well as the blinded focus group with communities in Limpopo province. The aim of the study was to explore the hostile environment that the illicit immigrants find themselves in while in South Africa and the problem of integration with the host communities. Findings from this study revealed that the illicit immigrants continue to become a problem in the receiving communities, and this is because they are snatching job opportunities for the locals since they do not mind exercising cheap labour, that’s is why there is tension between them and the locals. Most employers prioritise employing illicit immigrants instead of the locals. Furthermore, the participants indicated that the immigrants continue to temper with job security in the host communities. The researcher conducted two focus group discussions, one consisted of illicit immigrants from different African countries like Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Burundi, and the other focus group with the locals as blind group discussion. This is conceptualized as fear or black-on-black hatred which is also famously known as Afrophobia

The widespread fear of crime and its detrimental consequences have propelled various research studies on the correlates of fear of crime. An impressive body of knowledge has accumulated, which informs both scholars and policymakers of the correlates of fear of crime. However, very little is known about the fear of crime among immigrant populations. Fear of crime associated with immigrants remains a global phenomenon, which drives political rhetoric, media discourse, policymaking, criminal justice, and immigration control and enforcement. The perceived association between immigrants and criminality is a phenomenon with deep historical roots that transcends any particular culture. It is linked to ethnocentrism and othering, wherein dominant groups react to their exposure to alien cultural practices by criminalizing those practices and dehumanizing the immigrants who practice them. The study aims to explore the level of fear of crime among illicit immigrants. Literature analysis was adopted as a methodology to explore the factors impacting the level of fear and the places where illicit immigrants are likely to be victimised are further discussed. The study contributes significantly to the finding that higher crime levels in countries increase the fear of crime; however, they do not affect feelings of unsafety. Social protection expenditure proves to be an important determinant of both fears of crime and feelings of unsafety. Moreover, distrust in the police, generalized social distrust, and perceived ethnic threat induce fear of crime as well as feelings of unsafety. When considered in the context of social harm, immigrants’ relationship to crime and criminality becomes more complex. The study recommends that protective factors, such as neighborhood informal social control, social networks, cultural norms, and expectations about migration and life overall, may contribute to the lower rates of crime and violence among illicit immigrant groups.

The need for globalisation and a competitive edge in the ever-changing policing trends and crime-combatting strategies necessitates training and development interaction on a global platform. Essential in this regard is the development of skills, among others the training, development, and support of the South African Police Service (SAPS), through local and international training interventions in policing. This study followed the quantitative research design using the random sampling method. One hundred respondents from various SAPS divisions and at provincial level who attended international police training interventions were used as respondents and subjected to the completion of structured questionnaires. The main topic of this research revealed that international law enforcement training interventions were beneficial to the SAPS as it impacts positively on the SAPS’ effectiveness in service delivery. The results of this study is indicative that SAPS engages in the international field on policing practices as a means to train and develop its members beyond the scope of local practices to enable them to expand their knowledge and skills in order to further improve service delivery.

The research identified instances were the English version of sworn statements was an inaccurate translation of the indigenous statement provided by a witness or complainant. The inaccurate translation of indigenous witness statements is a global phenomenon that manifests against the backdrop of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This study was conducted to explore police experiences of taking indigenous witness statements, and to establish their perceptions of the digitisation of witness statements. Purposive sampling was used for sampling. Interview schedules were administered to eighteen (18) South African Police Service (SAPS) members from nine Community Service Centres (CSC) in Soweto, a township in the Gauteng province. Ethical consideration, measures of trustworthiness and the Theory of Performance (ToP) were applied. The ToP provides that a person’s level of performance is dependent on the interaction of various contextual factors. Thematic content analysis was conducted using Atlas ti resulting in five dominant themes or impact factors namely “skills”, “collaboration”, “resources”, “duration” and “language”. Results showed that a majority of the SAPS members perceived that witness statements should be digitised to address language challenges experienced and improve their level of performance. Furthermore, they perceived the usefulness of technology in modernising outdated resources in the SAPS.

In the last seven years, Limpopo Province experienced a high rate of service delivery protests that turned violent. The service delivery protests in the Vuwani area have received a lot of media coverage and international scrutiny, wherein school, and government buildings were vandalised and burned down. The study adopted a qualitative approach to explore the reasons why the protests turned violent and further questioned the burning of state property. The interviews were held with 40 community members in the Vuwani area and thematic content analyses were used. The long-standing tribal issues and political instability were at the centre of the violent protests in Vuwani area. The findings revealed dissatisfaction with municipal demarcation decisions perpetuated violent service delivery protests in Vuwani. Protest initially begins as peaceful demonstrations as mostly community members participate, the educated and the uneducated. However, protests provide an opportunity for criminals to vandalise state property and loot. The study recommends thorough public participation and consultation during decision-making that involves the community. Political stability should be enforced to avoid political agents inciting violence in the communities. Furthermore, harsher punishment was recommended for those who participate in violent service delivery protests.

South Africa and its policing system have been experiencing several incidents of vigilantism where community members partook in killing and administering “instant justice” to persons caught red-handed or suspected of engaging in criminal activities. Vigilantism has become a critical problem for the government, community members, and society. The study explores community perception regarding the incidents of vigilantism perpetuated in Thohoyandou and Musina within Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province. The study adopted an exploratory qualitative methodology. A non-random sampling that included purposive and snowball sampling was used to select the participants. Semi-structured interviews, observation and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic data analysis. The study concludes that vigilantism is now an acute daily occurrence in South Africa. As such, it has brought some negative implications, loss of life, destruction of property, effects on the welfare of children and a vicious cycle of crime. Even though the criminal justice system is the scapegoat for all this, community members point to unemployment, poverty, and alcohol and drug abuse as some of the causes of vigilantism. The article recommends collaboration between state parties and the communities in the administration of justice to fight vigilantism.

This article focused on the under-researched concept of work intensification among domestic workers. Domestic work in Zimbabwe remains a primary source of employment for rudimentary qualified women in both rural and urban areas. This prompted the need for this research to understand better two essential dimensions of an employer-worker relationship, work intensification and job satisfaction. The sample comprised 25 participants, of whom 15 were domestic workers, and 10 were employers of domestic workers. The research used a qualitative approach to understand better the dynamics of work intensification among rural women employed as domestic workers in rural Zimbabwe. Our findings show that employers bring about work intensification in domestic work settings. This is further exacerbated by unpaid overtime hours. Moreover, work intensification in the studied sample deteriorates job satisfaction and relations between employer and employee. As a result, productivity dwindles in the long term because of exhaustion and burnout.