An exploration of the use of social media by the South African Police service in preventing house robberies in Edenvale, Johannesburg

Abstract

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into policing, with social media particularly contributing to smart policing, understanding detective officers’ attitudes in this regard remains pivotal towards the successful implementation of social media usage in policing in South Africa. Accordingly, this study explores how detectives perceive the use of social media applications particularly WhatsApp and Facebook to reduce house robberies in Edenvale, Johannesburg. Employing a qualitative, exploratory design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with purposively selected detectives based at the Edenvale police station and were analysed thematically. The findings reveal cautious optimism among the officers as they view social media as offering a clear relative advantage in terms of speed, real-time and enhanced community engagements. Nonetheless, concerns regarding complexity (digital literacy gaps), compatibility (fit within existing investigative protocols), and organizational readiness including institutional support and policy clarity not only undermine optimism but also pose some challenge to full and effective adoption. This research is based on social network theory, which helps to understand how people connect and share information with each other. The dissertation explains this theory in more detail, showing how WhatsApp and Facebook can be used to prevent crime by improving communication, bringing communities together and spreading important information quickly. The study concludes that targeted digital literacy training, structured pilot projects, and clear organizational policies could enhance the diffusion and sustained use of social media for crime prevention. This research contributes to understanding the dynamics of innovation adoption within policing contexts in South Africa, highlighting the nuanced role of technological integration in community safety.