SA now leading crime hotspot in Southern Africa – report

The study, which examines the effect of crime in 193 United Nations member states, scored South Africa at 7,18%, making it the country with the highest crime amongst 13 countries in Southern Africa.

SA ranks 3rd of 54 countries in Africa and 7th out of 193 countries.

The index shows that the number of people living in countries with high levels of organised crime has increased in the last two years.

According to the analysis, no less than 83% of the global population, around 6.5 billion people, live in countries with high levels of criminality up from 79% in 2020.

The Index highlights how major political shifts and economic hardship have fed directly into organised crime dynamics around the world.

Asia, which includes Western Asia, South Eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia and Central Asia, has reported the highest levels of organised crime of all the continents.

Europe shows the greatest continental increase in criminality owing to the inclusion of financial and cybercrimes in the Index, but also saw increases in human and arms trafficking, environmental crimes, and drug crimes.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

The study further found that South Africa serves as both a source and destination country for various forms of trafficking, including human trafficking, sex trafficking, child labour, domestic servitude, organ smuggling, illegal child adoptions, forced surrogacy, and the use of body parts for muti.

The report also highlighted that labour exploitation is a concerning problem in South Africa, particularly in the agricultural sector.

"Labour exploitation is becoming more significant as a threat than sex trafficking, with false job opportunities identified as the most common method of trafficking,” the report found.

“Criminal syndicates are increasingly organised, and trafficking along the southern migration route is increasing. Corruption, the authorities’ lack of willingness to investigate the crime, and the perception that human trafficking is mainly sexual exploitation remain significant challenges for the country. 

“Many victims are unlikely to report exploitation due to conflict between foreign and local workers," it added.

ARMS TRAFFICKING

At the same time, the study showed that South Africa is grappling with a significant issue of arms trafficking, with millions of illegal firearms in circulation.

"The absence of effective control over police-issued firearms, as well as firearms in police evidence stores and armories, has allowed organized criminals to obtain weapons from these governmental facilities.

“The widespread availability of illegal firearms has given more power to organized criminal groups and networks, thereby undermining the state’s ability to address the problem.

“Over the past two decades, the use of firearms in targeted killings has increased, reflecting the increasing professionalization of criminal services, where armed violence is just another illicit commodity for sale.

“Moreover, South Africa is a significant arms sponsor, and its local arms industry supplies countries with questionable human rights records and/or links to war crimes.”

DRUGS

On drugs, the study says  South Africa has become a key player in the global cocaine trade, with a growing domestic market and connections to Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia.

"The heroin trade generates billions of rand in annual revenue in South Africa, making it a significant commodity. It has also led to the country becoming one of the largest heroin consumer markets on the continent, with the market being controlled by violent gangs in major cities.

“These organised criminal groups originate in South Africa and both southern and West Africa, with direct links to South Asian networks. In Durban, drug gangs have begun selling cheap heroin packed into pharmaceutical-style capsules, known on the street as ‘caps’. 

“South Africa has become a critical node in international Afghan-produced heroin smuggling rings to Europe, Africa and Australia, and sometimes for Pakistani or Iranian heroin.

 “The drug is trafficked along what is referred to as the ‘southern’ or the ‘maritime route’ from the southern coasts of Pakistan and Iran by boat through the Indian Ocean," the report found.

CORRUPTION

Corruption has been highlighted to have been a key issue across different government departments, including senior levels within prosecution and prison services.

The political system has also been accused of being a kleptocracy, damaging the image of the South African police and leading to a significant drop in trust from the public, said the report.

"South Africa’s overall trend over the last years is one of worsening instability. The country’s economic crisis has shaken the foundations of its system of governance, with fewer public contracts available and less money for social programmes.

“ In addition, the main political party has experienced a decline in popularity, leading to a political stalemate in the country. Moreover, scandals that have recently come to light have resulted in decreasing the credibility and reputation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“South Africa has a high level of corruption in its public sector, with maladministration, procurement corruption and abuse of authority being the most common forms.”

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