https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/13602 2026-06-22T11:36:01Z 2026-06-22T11:36:01Z Moradi, Rofhiwa Faith https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32642 2026-06-17T13:25:11Z 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z

Loss to follow-up on antiretroviral therapy amongst HIV patients on CCMDD program at Makhado Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa Moradi, Rofhiwa Faith Background: Loss to Follow-Up among HIV patients receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) remains a significant barrier to achieving optimal HIV care outcomes in South Africa. The Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) Programme was introduced to improve access to treatment; however, retention challenges persist. Purpose: The study aimed to explore factors contributing to high rates of LTFU among HIV patients enrolled in the CCMDD Programme in the Makhado Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Study setting: The study was conducted in three purposively selected clinics that implemented the CCMDD Programme in the Makhado Local Municipality, in the Limpopo Province. Method: An exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design was employed. A purpose sample of 34 HIV positive patients, aged 18 years and older, who had defaulted ART within the past twelve months but subsequently returned to care, participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured through researcher-led data collection and strategies to enhance credibility and dependability. Results: Five major themes emerged from the data: (1) positive factors of the CCMDD Programme; (2) individual factors; (3) interpersonal factors; (4) community factors; and (5) health system-related factors. The positive aspects of the CCMDD Programme included improved patient adherence to treatment and reduced facility congestion. Contributing barriers included a shortage of medication, long waiting periods, poor data recording, communication breakdowns,Limited understanding of the Programme, distance and travel time, challenges with script renewal, side effects, stigma, nondisclosure, and a lack of social support. Conclusion: The findings of the study highlighted that the key drivers contributing to LTFU include stigma, non-disclosure of HIV status, long travel distances to collection points, lack of social support, and limited knowledge of the CCMDD Programme. Strengthening patient education, improving communication systems, and implementing early tracing strategies may enhance retention and adherence among patients enrolled in the CCMDD Programme.

2026-02-01T00:00:00Z Harvey, Sharon J. https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32636 2026-06-17T05:42:16Z 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z

Constructions of gender and power : South African mothers’ experiences of intimate partner violence and family court Harvey, Sharon J. Divorce and intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, have been well researched; however, the experiences of mothers' post-separation, and specifically during Family Court processes, in the context of domestic violence, has been less well-reviewed. Mothers' experiences of domestic violence after leaving abusive partners, and their postseparation experiences with Family Court, are for the most part poorly understood. This study aimed first to explore South African mothers’ experiences of Family Court processes in the context of intimate partner violence; and second, to explore the social constructions of gender and power in the context of Family Court and intimate partner violence, post separation. This qualitative study was underpinned by a social constructionist paradigmatic framework and a critical postmodern feminist theoretical approach. Participants were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. Data was gathered until saturation using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by means of discourse analysis. Throughout the research process all ethical considerations were adhered to. The study found that mothers experienced ongoing abuse after separation and perceived the Family Court system as unsupportive and inadequate in addressing issues related to family violence, financial maintenance, and children's court matters. These systemic failures mirrored the dynamics of the abusive relationships. The research uncovered dominant discourses related to gendered narratives, dismissed safety concerns, and a perceived lack of knowledge or competence among experts and decision-makers regarding family violence, coercive control, and economic abuse, leading to long-term emotional and psychological trauma for the mothers and their children. These findings suggest the urgent need for systemic reform and a deeper understanding of the complex challenges around gender power imbalances that surround the Family Court system.

2025-02-01T00:00:00Z Letsoalo, Victor Mogale https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32634 2026-06-17T07:01:13Z 2025-02-25T00:00:00Z

Discrepancies between recruitment, selection process and personality assessment as contributors to corruption in policing in South Africa Letsoalo, Victor Mogale This study aimed to uncover psychological factors that contribute to corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Corruption has been one of the challenges faced by the democratic government of the Republic of South Africa and it continues to be a threat to the development and security of the country. To investigate causes of corruption in policing, the study focused on discrepancies between the recruitment selection process and ethical behaviour among three groups of police officials. Employing a qualitative research design, the study addressed emerging questions, procedures, and data collected from research participants in their work environments. Participants were identified through purposive sampling, and they were classified into three groups, namely: newly recruited trainees of the SAPS with a six-month service record, permanent members with exemplary ethical behaviour and former members or serving members who were previously charged for contravening the regulations or charged for corruption. The study found that personality factors that are assessed during recruitment and selection fail to identify a personality type or character disposition that is “corruption-prone” or “corruptible”. Interviews with officials with a history of corruption revealed self-reports of behaviour consistent with what psychopathology literature terms the “antisocial personality” type, which recruitment and selection processes failed to identify. These participants, like all the members of the SAPS, went through psychological assessments and were recommended for enlistment in the SAPS. The findings further revealed organisational cultural factors that contribute to discontent among police officers, which could be linked to corrupt behaviour. Several organisational factors namely, lack of a cohesive Promotion Policy, inconsistent application of disciplinary procedures, lack of oversight over members in senior leadership creating a perception of “untouchability” of senior leadership by the rank-and-file officers, lack of ethical and principled leadership and lack of consequence management were found to cause discontent among members of the SAPS which could influence decisions to engage in corrupt behaviour. The golden thread in the reports from the participants over the six months during which data was gathered is that the SAPS is a "Personality Cult" centred around top officers. Senior officers possess such unchecked authority that they can act wantonly within the organisation, thus undermining official governance policies. Senior officers have arrogated themselves absolute and unbridled authority to hire, promote, and terminate at whim without any consequences. Consequently, the corruption exhibited by members in the public sphere may represent a form of "rebellion" against an organisation that, through the caprice of senior leadership, has failed to gain the respect of rank-and-file members.

2025-02-25T00:00:00Z Bulela, Ntlahla https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32627 2026-06-16T16:20:23Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Community perspectives on sex offenders' reintegration into the community Bulela, Ntlahla Sexual offences are one of the major criminal offences that affect communities globally. They affect not only the victims’ families but also the community at large. After serving a prison sentence, sex offenders are reintegrated back into the same communities from which they came. Government encourages communities to give offenders a second chance and to provide the support they need. The aim of this study was to explore the community perspectives on sex offenders’ reintegration into the community. The theoretical framework used in this study was the ecological systems approach. In employing the qualitative research approach an interpretivism paradigm was used. This encompassed explorative, descriptive and contextual designs to explore, describe and contextualise the community perspectives on sex offenders’ reintegration into the community. The research population consisted of community members based in Mamelodi Township, Pretoria. The sample of participants was selected in utilising purposive sampling. Semi structured interviews, guided by an interview guide with open-ended questions, were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using Tesch’s steps. The verification of data was conducted using Guba and Lincoln’s model and the four aspects of trustworthiness identified by them were applied. In conducting the research, the researcher adhered to the ethical considerations outlined by the University. The study adds to existing discussions on community perspectives regarding sex offender reintegration within the South African context. The findings revealed that community views on the reintegration of sex offenders are mixed, emotional, fearful, and stigmatised. Although some recognised that offenders deserve rehabilitation and second chances, concerns were raised about community safety, lack of information, and insufficient support for successful reintegration. The study also revealed that social workers play a critical role in mediating between offenders, victims, and communities by providing education, psychosocial support, and community meetings, highlighting the importance of enhancing community-based interventions and collaborative reintegration efforts.

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