https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/2981 2026-08-11T03:12:26Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32808 Exploration of factors that contribute to police killings at Ethekwini District, Kwazulu-Natal Khathi, Nelisiwe Cecilia This study aimed to explore factors that contribute to police killings at EThekwini District focusing at Inanda and Durban Central police station in KwaZulu-Natal. The main problem that led to this study was the high number of police fatalities recorded in South Africa especially in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The study sought to uncover the views of SAPS members, regarding factors that contributed to police killings. As the findings have been articulated and established, the research seeks to enlighten members of the SAPS about the factors that contribute to police killings, and the reviving of police awareness on factors that contribute to police killings. This research was conducted amongst South African Police Service members. The probability sampling was utilized to select SAPS detectives which were interviewed. The researcher used the qualitative research approach and conducted semi-structured interviews using an interview schedule. The interviews were voice recorded and transcribed. The researcher then familiarized herself with the data for in-depth and perceptive analyses. Also, literature and personal experience was utilized in data collection and analysis. The findings of this study indicated that most of the factors that contribute to police killings include but are not limited to, police being killed whilst drinking in the taverns or shebeens carrying state firearms, police involvement in corruption, police behaviour, involvement with gangs and failure to wear bulletproof vests as well as lack of firearm training and physical and tactical training. Other contributory factors were found to be police officers who are involved in taxi industries as owners or as private security, or involved in illegal activities such as drug turf wars where police members are being killed during revenge attacks. The researcher has made recommendations that will assist in the fight against police killings, which include more training of police members when it comes to Section 49 of the CPA, Act 51 of 1977, physical training and creation of basic forensic courses for police members to try and enhance their skills and knowledge in the investigation of crime, as well as more workshops and refresher courses related to murder investigation as well as how police members should conduct themselves with regards to their social lives. 2022-08-05T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32720 An evaluation of the implementation of the Safer Cities Project in South Africa Pillay, Jenny Safety is a major concern in all cities around the world, and a lack of safety has an adverse impact on everyone’s quality of life. Criminality in cities has become a geographical footprint affecting communities and even tourists who visit the country. Despite efforts undertaken by the police to combat crime, violent crime persists, which has resulted in negative public perceptions of safety and security and poor investor confidence, ultimately threatening the sustainability of cities. The South African Police Service, municipalities and other strategic stakeholders have collaborated to combat crime and other safety issues by initiating the Safer Cities Project in 10 identified cities in South Africa. If the police cannot fight crime alone, surely collaborating with stakeholders could contribute to joint interventions to deal with safety and security issues in cities. The Safer Cities Project uses technology as an enabler among other interventions to tackle crime in the cities through a multidisciplinary approach. The study evaluated the implementation of the Safer Cities Project from the perspective of the South African Police Service, the local municipalities and other key stakeholders in identified pilot cities to explore its ability to reduce crime levels. Using a qualitative approach to explore the challenges faced in the implementation of the Safer Cities Project. Thirty-two participants representing the South African Police Service, local municipalities, the Traffic Police Department, the Community Police Forum and Business Against Crime South Africa in each city were interviewed. The analysis of the implementation of this programme identified project gaps and effective methods for addressing safety and security issues were recommended, thus contributing valuable insights to the existing body of knowledge on this topic in cities. This indicates the value of data-driven policing strategies that include leveraging advanced analytics, real-time crime data, and predictive technologies to optimise police responses and resource allocation. These strategies enhance operational efficiency and provide a deeper understanding of how data integration can improve decision making in urban policing. 2025-04-09T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32703 An evaluation of the management and control measures of explosives by the South African Police Service at Beit Bridge border post Simango, Themba Simon In recent years, explosives have become a tool of choice used by perpetrators who seek to access cash safes and for use at illegal mining sites. The Explosives Section attends to bombings for cash and the recovery of explosives found in possession of suspects at illegal mining sites. The illegal influx of explosives through the Beit Bridge border post is continuous, and measures should be taken to address it. Although the influx has become an enormous challenge, the researcher observed no attempts by law enforcement, comprising SAPS and other role players, to address it. With the scourge becoming out of control, SAPS needs research solutions to curb and reduce the number of explosives coming from neighbouring countries. The researcher aims to evaluate management and control measures for explosives, determine the prevalence of illegal explosives, identify the challenges encountered by the South African Police (SAPS) in policing them at the Beit Bridge border post, and propose effective measures to address these challenges. The researcher included various role players who work at Beit Bridge to determine how they can be effective in dealing with the influx. Suspects who are arrested in possession of smuggled explosives are mostly from Zimbabwe. When convicted, they serve time in South African prisons. The researcher included convicted explosives smugglers to help provide answers on the accessibility of explosives, possible smuggling methods, transportation routes, and preferred destinations in South Africa. The qualitative method was best suited for this study as it encourages interviews. The Explosives Section in the SAPS has been identified as the custodian of the Explosives Act, but a lack of capacity and resources continues to hamper investigative efficiency. Other role players at Beit Bridge knowledge or the training to identify explosives. Explosives are known to be dangerous and considered weapons of mass destruction. 2024-10-24T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32583 An exploration of the impact of corruption on traffic policing in KwaZulu-Natal Sangweni, Njabulo Ignatius Corruption is a persistent issue and has far-reaching effects that affect not only South Africans' quality of life but also the country's social cohesion and economic growth. Its presence in the traffic police departments serves as evidence of this reality. This study assumed the possibility that road carnage, rampant lawlessness, and a high level of impunity may stem from corruption. In light of this context, the study sought to show the impact of corruption on traffic policing in KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives of the study were to explore the impact of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Traffic Police corruption on service delivery, to gain an in-depth understanding of contextual causes of corruption, to explore individual experiences of the efficiency of corruption combating strategies within the selected Traffic Police departments, and to formulate recommendations for further research on corruption-combatting strategies within Traffic Police departments. . A qualitative research approach was adopted to examine the perceptions and experiences of members of the public who have had past interaction with traffic police officers. Using purposive sampling, 14 participants were selected from a target population of 25 individuals. The study’s participants included one unemployed individual, two students, six traffic officers, and five individuals from various sectors of formal employment. Semi-structured interviews and a comprehensive literature review facilitated data collection. Findings revealed an existing culture of corruption within traffic policing, underscored by a shared understanding among community members and traffic officials that such practices are detrimental. Further analysis indicates that several socio-economic conditions contribute to the perpetuation of corruption within traffic police departments. Key factors identified include low economic development, low pay, urgent need for money, peer pressure, and financial distress. This study exposes the intricate relationship between socioeconomic challenges and corrupt practices in traffic policing, providing insights and recommendations that may inform policy interventions intended to mitigate corruption and enhance the integrity of general traffic law enforcement. Abstract and text in English 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z