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Assessing risk factors for juvenile delinquency necessitates a holistic approach, taking into account individual, familial, societal, and communal influences. Risk factors are conditions or attributes that may elevate the probability of adverse outcomes or behaviours in adolescents. These elements may include multiple dimensions of a young individual's life, such as personal, familial, peer, educational, and communal influences. Globally, crime persists as a pressing issue, predominantly involving youngsters in offences such as cybercrime, robbery, theft, shoplifting, substance misuse, cash-in-transit heists, violent crimes, abduction, kidnapping, gang-related activities, cultism, and ritual killings. It is imperative to confront the prevailing trend of juvenile criminal actions inside society. This article analyses risk variables associated with juvenile criminal behaviour and the responses of the criminal justice system and its stakeholders. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating in-person interviews and surveys for data acquisition.  Research identifies determinants of criminal behaviour, including low self-control, impulsivity, and substance abuse. Family-related factors encompass parental neglect, maltreatment, and inadequate support. Social factors involve associations with delinquent peers, poverty, and discrimination. A correlation exists between drug, alcohol, and substance abuse and criminal behaviour among youth. Parental indifference may impact youth decision-making. Some young offenders are incarcerated in correctional facilities, while others participate in rehabilitation through diversion programs. The findings highlight the necessity for cohesive treatments involving family, community, and institutions, prioritising mental health support and restorative justice to diminish youth recidivism. The study advocates for the active involvement of stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations and rehabilitation centres. It emphasises the necessity for vigilant supervision and monitoring of youth by parents, guardians, family members, communities, institutions, and the criminal justice system to proactively prevent access to drugs and substances that incite violence and criminal behaviour. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of integrating family, community, and institutional interventions, mental health support, and restorative justice to mitigate youth recidivism. Additionally, it calls for the regular monitoring of youth mental health and the provision of effective interventions such as rehabilitation, youth crime prevention, treatment, and morality regeneration programs.

South Africa continues to experience high levels of violent crime, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) recording over 22,000 murders in 2023/2024, alongside increasing incidents of robbery and assault. While these statistics are alarming, little is known about the hidden forms of violence that occur within cultural settings, particularly during traditional ceremonies such as Umguyo, a Xhosa ritual that precedes Ulwaluko (Traditional Male Circumcision). This paper aims to evaluate the social, economic, and psychological effects of violence during the Umguyo practice on families and the broader rural community. It is also aimed at examining how such violence disrupts cultural harmony, education, and community cohesion. The study employed a qualitative approach, drawing on interviews and focus group discussions with custodians of culture and community members in the Amathole District Municipality of South Africa. Findings of the study demonstrate that (i) violent incidents during Umguyo transform the ceremony from a joyous cultural event into one of grief, creating deep emotional trauma and financial strain for affected families; (ii) traditional obligations such as funerals and cancelled rituals further burden families economically and socially; and (iii) rumours and disputes following violent incidents contribute to long-term community fragmentation and hinder educational progress during the initiation season. Overall, the study highlights how violence linked to cultural practices undermines social cohesion, mental well-being, and economic stability in rural South Africa. Addressing this requires culturally sensitive legal reforms and strengthened community engagement.

This study investigates the extent of local government involvement in crime prevention within the MDM district. A total of 338 questionnaires were distributed to community members, and 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipal officials, SAPS social crime prevention personnel, and the District Coordinator from the Department of Transport and Community Safety. A mixed-method research design was adopted to integrate both qualitative and quantitative approaches, thereby addressing the limitations of each and enhancing the overall depth and reliability of the findings. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to ensure a representative and targeted participant selection. The research explores existing crime prevention strategies, the challenges faced, and the nature of collaboration between the SAPS and local government. Ethical principles, including informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity, were strictly observed. In addition to its empirical contributions, this study serves as a practical reference for students seeking to understand the application of mixed-method research in local government and crime prevention.

Recent research has shown that youth offending remains a critical issue in South Africa, with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society. This study critically examines the psychological and socioeconomic factors that contribute to youth offending, offering a comprehensive and integrated analysis rooted in the South African context. Drawing from a qualitative desktop research approach, the study utilized secondary data including scholarly articles, government reports, and organizational publications. The findings reveal that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), mental health challenges, exposure to trauma, poverty, educational disparities, family dysfunction, and unemployment are key contributors to youth offending. The analysis underscores the interconnectedness of psychological and socioeconomic variables, suggesting that youth offending cannot be understood or addressed in isolation. Instead, a multidimensional approach is necessary, one that recognizes both internal psychological vulnerabilities and external social and economic stressors. Based on the findings, the study recommends trauma-informed mental health interventions, educational and vocational support, poverty alleviation strategies, and community and family-based programs. These recommendations aim to inform holistic and evidence-based policies that can reduce youth crime and support positive youth development. The study contributes to existing criminological literature by bridging theoretical frameworks with practical, policy-oriented solutions relevant to South Africa's unique challenges.

Unemployment and crime are complex socio-economic problem in South Africa that attracts excessive attention from researchers because they are crucial issues worldwide. Since 1990, unemployment has been a problem, and this escalated after the end of apartheid. This occurred due to South Africa’s economic struggles with low growth. Long-term unemployment is linked to frustration, alienation, and breakdowns in social cohesion, primary in poorer communities. This social strain fosters criminal behaviour largely because such individuals exert power or generate much-needed cash from these illegal activities. By virtue of the lack of formal avenues of employment, these people are thus easily recruited through criminal networks or gangs that offer money and social identity for illegal activities. This study aims to evaluate and analyse the impact of unemployment in instigating crime in South Africa. The problem the researcher is addressing results from the alarming increase in youth unemployment and its assumed link to criminal activities, especially in underdeveloped or rural areas in South Africa. The study adopted a mixed research methods approach. A purposive sampling and cluster sampling were used to select participants. The researchers used semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It is envisaged that findings of this study may be used in the design and implementation of strategies and programmes to reduce unemployment and crime in South Africa. Further, the researcher makes some recommendations pertaining to addressing and reducing the high rate of youth unemployment and crime.

The study investigates the nexus between income inequality and crime in the two provinces of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, which combines both primary and secondary data sources, including interviews with nine participants and consultation with academic journals, monographs and reports, respectively. Thematic data analysis was utilised to analyse the participants' insights. The theoretical frameworks are relative deprivation theory and economic theory of crime. Inequality breeds social jealousy in societies and seemingly culminates in crime. The findings of this study revealed that the country’s history coated in apartheid and other factors are responsible for the high income inequality in South Africa, which in turn is a major factor influencing crime in the country. It recommended that through good leadership by the political class, objective anti-corruption drive and provision of infrastructure, the private sector would thrive so that they can provide more jobs. The study also recommended that good education and skill acquisition to promote the entrepreneurship capacity and employability of youths should be promoted.

Livestock theft is a critical issue in South Africa. The existing research on livestock theft in South Africa remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. This study is a systematic review, and aims to fill this gap by compiling, analysing and synthesizing the existing research on livestock theft in South Africa. The study addresses four key research questions: (1) Theories and models applied to livestock theft research; (2) Methods used in studying livestock theft; (3) Primary dimensions influencing livestock theft; and (4) Gaps in the literature and future research directions. Findings reveal a range of theoretical perspectives applied to the study of livestock theft, including criminological theories like Routine Activity Theory, Crime Pattern Theory, and Rational Choice Theory. These theories offer frameworks for understanding various aspects of livestock theft, such as motives, patterns, and prevention strategies. Methodological diversity is evident, with interviews being the most common approach, alongside literature reviews, secondary data analysis, and focus groups. Gaps in the literature suggest areas for future research, including the integration of theoretical frameworks, adoption of mixed-methods, Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), and enhanced triangulation of data. There is a call for practical use case studies demonstrating successful implementation of prevention strategies and technologies. Furthermore, understanding the roles of various structures and institutions, including community forums and traditional leaders is crucial for developing effective interventions. In conclusion, the research contributes by consolidating fragmented knowledge on livestock theft and identifying areas for further investigations.