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In some parts of the Vhembe District in Limpopo Province of South Africa, vandalism is becoming a serious problem, and solutions are not easy to find. Vandalism has had a variety of negative impacts on livestock farmers. A few studies have studied the concept of vandalism, but studies employing empirical models to determine the factors that are of significance to vandalism are conspicuously rare, if not absent. This paper investigated factors of significance to on-farm infrastructural vandalism in the Musekwa Valley of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. The study used a mixed method approach and collected data using a cross-cultural semi structured questionnaire instrument translated from English into the native Tshivenda. Data were collected from fifty-five (n=55) purposively selected primary participants who were interviewed using face to face approach. Additional data were collected through key informant interviews administered on purposively selected key informants (n = 4), focus group discussions were done, and transect walks were employed for observation purposes. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to the data, and the following factors emerged as significant to vandalism: age, gender, education level, ownership of cattle, exposure to information, household expenditure, and reporting of incidents of vandalism to authorities. It is recommended that a community-based approach is adopted to find solutions to the problem of vandalism, to avoid a top-down approach that residents might undermine.

In comparison to more common crimes like robbery of cash-in-transit, the idea of bank-related robbery—also known as "associated robbery"—has received very little attention. Even though the crime of bank-associated robbery has seen a large rise in instances and related losses, there is still little to no scientific research on the topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate and characterize the modus operandi (MO) employed in bank-related robberies, a crime phenomenon that appears to be specific to South Africa. Eleven participants who are subject matter experts (SMEs) on the topic participated in in-depth qualitative interviews to learn more about the phenomena. According to the report, bank-related robberies fall into two primary categories: robberies that occur before cash deposits and those that occur after cash withdrawals. The police do not categorize bank-related robberies in the same way that the banking industry does, which is the biggest obstacle to preventative efforts. In order to address the aforementioned issue, this study adds to the body of knowledge on the subject in order to inform prevention initiatives. The results also show that carrying a lot of cash increases the risk of becoming a victim of crime for bank customers. Therefore, it is advised that bank customers carry the least amount of cash possible on them to make themselves less appealing to robbers.

The article describes the use of the Geographical information system as a technique in the processing of crime data to combat crime. In this process the crime data must be valid to ensure the smoother crime mapping. Crime data such as place where crime committed, modus operandi, crime spree and crime pattern would be inserted and analysed in the usage of the GIS technology by the police at the station level. The study employed a qualitative research approach to investigate the trend.  The research deployed non empirical study where literature was used to answer the research question. The purpose of the article is to interrogate the challenges in the use of GIS as a technique to combat crime. This article finds that GIS operators experience significant operational challenges, because of the lack of the training in the use of GIS and poor GIS components such as computer and outdated GIS software’s. Further, the lack of relationship between units within the South African Police Service and external technological institutions disadvantages GIS operators to be successful in the use of GIS to process and map crime data. The study recommended that police management need to support police with the training and proper resources to successfully operate GIS to combat crime.

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 article explores the nature and extent of crime in the railway environment in South Africa. Crimes against Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Transnet Freight Rail, Gautrain, and commuters are prevalent and the victims are being exposed to serious damage emanating from criminal activities. The challenges and implications for individuals and businesses, rich or poor consumers are recurrent themes in this study. A qualitative research approach was adopted to follow a non-probability purposive sample comprising 25 participants from the South African Police Service Rapid Rail Police Units. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews from research participants deployed in the Division: Visible Policing. The findings highlighted that the most prevalent crimes are cable theft, robberies and malicious property damage. The targeted trains are the Metro trains that operate locally, as they transport many commuters because it is the affordable mode of public transport in South Africa. The perpetrators also target this mode of transport because the train stations have an open system where perpetrators can easily access the entrance, therefore some do not even buy tickets and board the trains illegally. It is understood that Gautrain has a closed system and the security is advanced and watertight because of extra security measures such as the closed-circuit television cameras. Based on the findings, effective implementation of policies to improve safety is essential. Critical dialogues between all relevant.

The article describes the use of the Geographical information system as a technique in the processing of crime data to combat crime. In this process the crime data must be valid to ensure the smoother crime mapping. Crime data such as place where crime committed, modus operandi, crime spree and crime pattern would be inserted and analysed in the usage of the GIS technology by the police at the station level. The study employed a qualitative research approach to investigate the trend.  The research deployed non empirical study where literature was used to answer the research question. The purpose of the article is to interrogate the challenges in the use of GIS as a technique to combat crime. This article finds that GIS operators experience significant operational challenges, because of the lack of the training in the use of GIS and poor GIS components such as computer and outdated GIS software’s. Further, the lack of relationship between units within the South African Police Service and external technological institutions disadvantages GIS operators to be successful in the use of GIS to process and map crime data. The study recommended that police management need to support police with the training and proper resources to successfully operate GIS to combat crime.

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.

In some parts of the Vhembe District in Limpopo Province of South Africa, vandalism is becoming a serious problem, and solutions are not easy to find. Vandalism has had a variety of negative impacts on livestock farmers. A few studies have studied the concept of vandalism, but studies employing empirical models to determine the factors that are of significance to vandalism are conspicuously rare, if not absent. This paper investigated factors of significance to on-farm infrastructural vandalism in the Musekwa Valley of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. The study used a mixed method approach and collected data using a cross-cultural semi structured questionnaire instrument translated from English into the native Tshivenda. Data were collected from fifty-five (n=55) purposively selected primary participants who were interviewed using face to face approach. Additional data were collected through key informant interviews administered on purposively selected key informants (n = 4), focus group discussions were done, and transect walks were employed for observation purposes. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to the data, and the following factors emerged as significant to vandalism: age, gender, education level, ownership of cattle, exposure to information, household expenditure, and reporting of incidents of vandalism to authorities. It is recommended that a community-based approach is adopted to find solutions to the problem of vandalism, to avoid a top-down approach that residents might undermine.

In comparison to more common crimes like robbery of cash-in-transit, the idea of bank-related robbery—also known as "associated robbery"—has received very little attention. Even though the crime of bank-associated robbery has seen a large rise in instances and related losses, there is still little to no scientific research on the topic. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate and characterize the modus operandi (MO) employed in bank-related robberies, a crime phenomenon that appears to be specific to South Africa. Eleven participants who are subject matter experts (SMEs) on the topic participated in in-depth qualitative interviews to learn more about the phenomena. According to the report, bank-related robberies fall into two primary categories: robberies that occur before cash deposits and those that occur after cash withdrawals. The police do not categorize bank-related robberies in the same way that the banking industry does, which is the biggest obstacle to preventative efforts. In order to address the aforementioned issue, this study adds to the body of knowledge on the subject in order to inform prevention initiatives. The results also show that carrying a lot of cash increases the risk of becoming a victim of crime for bank customers. Therefore, it is advised that bank customers carry the least amount of cash possible on them to make themselves less appealing to robbers.

This article explores the nature and extent of crime in the railway environment in South Africa. Crimes against Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Transnet Freight Rail, Gautrain, and commuters are prevalent and the victims are being exposed to serious damage emanating from criminal activities. The challenges and implications for individuals and businesses, rich or poor consumers are recurrent themes in this study. A qualitative research approach was adopted to follow a non-probability purposive sample comprising 25 participants from the South African Police Service Rapid Rail Police Units. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews from research participants deployed in the Division: Visible Policing. The findings highlighted that the most prevalent crimes are cable theft, robberies and malicious property damage. The targeted trains are the Metro trains that operate locally, as they transport many commuters because it is the affordable mode of public transport in South Africa. The perpetrators also target this mode of transport because the train stations have an open system where perpetrators can easily access the entrance, therefore some do not even buy tickets and board the trains illegally. It is understood that Gautrain has a closed system and the security is advanced and watertight because of extra security measures such as the closed-circuit television cameras. Based on the findings, effective implementation of policies to improve safety is essential. Critical dialogues between all relevant.