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This article examines municipalities on implementation and coordination of social crime prevention programmes in addressing social issues. The White Paper on Safety and Security (1998) clearly proposed that local government should be responsible for implementing and coordinating social crime prevention programmes within areas of concern. Therefore, it is argued that the provincial government is closest to citizens and inimitably placed to contribute to social crime prevention initiatives and readdress the delivery of services to deal with crime prevention successfully. There is little information about this matter in South Africa. This article will reveal the challenges municipalities and the department of social development face on social issues. There seems to be a repetition of social programmes in addressing social issues and there are no programmes targeting youth at risk, juvenile delinquency and child-headed households’ issues. The study concludes that the municipalities should consider the review in social crime prevention strategies to better align its programmes to the provincial mandates. Municipalities should further demonstrate regularly how it responds to social issues that might perpetuate the crime rate. 

The motorcycle taxi business is increasingly becoming one of the key livelihood strategies in the urban settings of Sub-Saharan Africa. However, crime against operators is threatening the subsector and jeopardizes the livelihood of motorcycle riders. This study examines urban crime and its implications on the livelihoods of motorcycle taxi riders in Dar es Salaam Tanzania in a bid to recommend strategies for alleviating the looming crime. Based on the qualitative design, data were collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and indirect observations with a sample of 100 motorcycle taxi-riders. Thematic data analysis was employed based on the five themes [aka assets] pre-determined from the sustainable livelihood framework namely natural, physical, human, social and financial assets. Findings show that crime has negatively impacted the motorcycle taxi riders’ livelihoods through erosion of the livelihood assets. Accordingly, in order to alleviate the crime, relevant authorities should devise a well-defined mechanism of sharing crime information, use of technology such as the GPRS system and security cameras around the city, ensure the availability of the police and prompt response to crime incidence through night security patrols and sharing reliable contacts, provision of security and crime education and awareness to the riders. Others are ensuring an effective, communication system between and among the motorcycle riders e.g. through phones, WhatsApp groups, and other social media, and use of ID cards by the riders for easy identification and traceability whenever they fall victims of crime.

Despite official crime figures showing a continuous decline in the rate of crime, the perception of the high level of crime by many Malaysians suggests other factors are affecting their perception of safety from crime. The objective of this study is to identify and understand these factors through a qualitative study that employs online focus group discussions. This study argues that the perception of safety from crime is the result of interactions of a number of factors such as the experience of victimisation, crime information, neighbourhood conditions as well as the perception of law enforcement and government crime reduction policy. The sense of safety from crime is also contextual as it may fluctuate according to time, place, activities and situations. Analysis of the data from the focus group discussions found that participants generally have a high perception of safety from crime. However, participants felt less safe when they were in public places and when interacting with online services. In most circumstances, participants' sense of safety is affected by the pressure to be vigilant and to avoid criminal victimisation. This pressure is exacerbated by low-quality information on crime that is often received through social media. Crime information on social media has a significant impact on participants’ perceptions of crime. The overall analysis of the findings suggests that the most important factor which affects the perception of safety from crime among these selected Malaysians is their sense of safety in their homes and their neighbourhood.  Hence, efforts to increase the sense of safety among Malaysians should focus on this context.

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.

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.

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.

Violent crime remains one of South Africa’s most persistent developmental and security challenges, undermining social cohesion, economic investment, and human well-being. This study examines the structural, institutional, and community-level determinants of violent crime in the Ekurhuleni District and proposes a context-specific Integrated Framework for Violent Crime Mitigation (IFVCM). Using a qualitative case-study design within an interpretivist paradigm, the research draws on semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and document analysis involving thirty participants (twenty SAPS officials and ten community stakeholders). Thematic analysis revealed three overarching determinants of violence: (1) socio-economic deprivation and youth marginalisation, (2) institutional fragmentation and resource constraints within policing, and (3) weakened community cohesion and declining public trust. These determinants interact to create a self-reinforcing cycle of exclusion, mistrust, and vulnerability to criminality. The proposed IFVCM integrates socio-economic interventions, community engagement, intelligence-led and technology-enabled policing, and strengthened inter-agency governance. The framework aligns with national priorities outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, the White Paper on Safety and Security (2016), and emerging post-COVID violence trends in Gauteng. The study contributes theoretically by integrating multiple criminological perspectives and practically by offering a scalable, evidence-based approach for strengthening safety in urban environments.

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.