Academic literature on the topic 'Crime – KwaZulu-Natal – Durban'

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have an important role to play in the development of the country. A strong SME sector contributes highly to the economy, contributing to the gross domestic product, by reducing the level of unemployment, reduction in poverty levels and promotion of entrepreneurship activity. In South Africa (SA), the growth of SMEs and prevalence of SMEs is significantly low. Therefore, the aim of the study is to identify the internal and external factors affecting the performance of SMEs in KwaZulu-Natal, SA. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 74 SMEs owners/managers who were members of the Durban Chamber of Commerce via online using anonymous questionnaire. The results revealed technological advancement would improve the performance of the business. With regards to challenge, the majority of the respondents viewed competition as a major challenge. Almost all the respondent indicated that crime and corruption affecting business performance. Competition was the only factor amongst the studied internal and external factors that revealed a significant association with the performance of SMEs in KwaZulu-Natal (p = 0.011). SMEs need to recognize they must prepare for both domestic

The extent and representativeness of child sexual abuse reporting in the South African English-language press were examined. Baseline data for the study comprised a complete record of all cases of child sexual abuse reported to the police in the North Durban Policing area (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) from January 2001 to December 2004, with newspaper reports of child sexual abuse being obtained from the 2004 online archives of a South African English-language newspaper. Study findings indicate that press coverage of child sexual abuse is negligible (i.e., an index of crime-news coverage of less than 1%), with the nature of cases covered by the press being largely representative of the types of cases reported to the police.

This study investigates the causes of fear of crime amongst residents of Ward 33 in KwaZulu-Natal, and the impact of this fear on their behaviour; the relationship between social cohesion and fear of crime; how residents are trying to make themselves safer in their own homes; and whether these measures are indeed producing feelings of greater safety and security. The research methodology employed for this dissertation is mainly qualitative, in particular the use of storytelling and photographs, which were used as a “canopener” to get respondents to discuss their security choices as well as the choices made by others. The findings indicate that the sources and extent of fear of crime vary amongst residents. Fear of crime emanates from the physical and social environment as well as the kinds of information shared within communities. Embedded within the narratives is a strong association of race with crime, which is deepening divisions in the ward. The findings also question whether greater heterogeneity automatically reduces social cohesion. As far as home security is concerned, the northern part of the ward is generally more affluent and this is reflected in the more diverse security measures adopted by residents. In discussing the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which is based on the idea that crimes are less likely to occur when properties are visible, residents’ attitudes tended to vary according to their respective fear of crime, their financial status, and specific location within the ward. A theme running consistently through the literature and in some of the narratives is the effect of geography on how residents and potential criminals view an area. The regeneration of some parts of the ward and neglect of others shows the differential outcomes when local community members choose whether or not to be proactive and participate in such projects.<br>Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

This study investigates numerous questions significant to perception and causal factors of male vs. female criminality in Cato Manor Township and the adjacent Umkhumbane informal settlement, as the researcher believes that understanding plays an important role in preventing the problem. The study confirms the perception that the South African criminal justice system, governmental and non-governmental organizations, community members around the country, and other stakeholders can play a pivotal role in preventing crime. Apart from ignorance, many factors, such as social background and/or status, age, and reasons for committing crimes, equally apply to both males and females, with the former being more likely to commit a greater number of crimes. The findings of this study explain the fact that crime is not pertinent to males only, but also females, yet not nearly enough is being done to prevent crimes committed by females in the country. Ethically and morally it is the role of every individual in the country to prevent crime in different communities by teaching young ones about proper behaviour and reporting crime committed to relevant authorities. In addition, it is vital to offer support to both victims and offenders in the process. Authorities need to know that crime committed by females is increasing greatly in the country, and the South African Police statistics do not make reference to this problem because of many problems which include lack of reporting, police discretion, and so forth.<br>Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

In any country where there are informal settlements, crime prevention and combat is, to a great extent, determined by the availability of reliable information about crime and about the physical environment in which it occurs. Of equal importance in reducing crime is accurate reporting on the behalf of the public and accurate mapping of crime incidences on the part of the police. Informality makes such information gathering, reporting and mapping extremely challenging. Street level geocoding match rates are lower in informal settlements areas compared to formal urban areas, due to the fact that these areas are unplanned without any road networks or proper address points. To determine the success or otherwise of measures taken to control crime in informal settlements, it is necessary for a system to be in operation whereby crime can be geocoded to a specific location. The integration of community local knowledge with Geographic Information Systems can help populate urban-based geospatial databases for informal settlement crime mapping, and a mental mapping exercise can contribute by the identification of landmarks which can be geocoded. The aim of this research was to establish how community understandings and constructions of their local geography can contribute to ‘official’ police crime mapping and, consequently, to the improvement of policing in informal settlements. In order to achieve this research objective, community ‘mind maps’ were explored through focus groups and these were correlated with police geocoding and mapping systems. The aim here was to explore whether and how these systems can work together in dealing more effectively with crime and in enhancing police-community relations in informal settlement areas. A key finding of this research was that, coming together or integration between community generated mapping information and conventional GIS methodologies, has the potential to completely transform the way in which informal settlements crimes are mapped.<br>Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

It is argued that housing designs and layout systems for crime prevention can have either positive or negative implications on the actual prevention of crime. Therefore, this research explores the exact implications that housing designs and layout systems have in relation to crime in RDP development neighbourhoods. Various principles such as defensible space principles and crime prevention through environmental design are emphasized in this study: Surveillance, territoriality, access control, image and milieu. Other supporting characteristics like housing design principles including housing structures, support activities and gated communities are highly elaborated, as well as street layout. These analytical criteria were used to examine the Chesterville RDP developments. Procedurally, the evaluation entailed analysing both street layout and housing design and analysing the views and perceptions of people living in the area. The findings indicate that residents of Chesterville display high level of perception of safety although they do acknowledge that there is petty crime once in a while. The researcher asserts that overall housing design and layout systems for crime prevention have positive implications on crime reduction in residential areas. The study also investigated the type of criminal activities that occur in the area. The study analysed the types of criminal activities which were related to housing and layout in Chesterville RDP developments. Data was collected by conducting household surveys and an interview with the community leader. Local and international case studies that were used revealed interesting scenarios of the usage of environmental design to aid crime prevention. In the context of Chesterville the main findings showed that there is a sense safety in the area although assault was found to be high. The study thus proposed recommendations in an attempt to improve crime reduction in Chesterville as a whole. This dissertation is structured as follows: The chapter one introduces the research problem, research questions, hypothesis, and the research method used to conduct the study. Chapter two provides both the theoretical framework and the literature review for the topic being studied. International and national case studies are used to support the flow of the argument. Chapter three introduces the geographical and historical background of case studies in which the study was conducted. This historical background is linked to the topic of study to help to understand the phenomenon of crime prevention. Chapter four deals with the presentation and analysis of data collected and in chapter five conclusions are drawn from the findings and recommendations are made.<br>Thesis (M.Housing)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

In this research, the role of forensic science with the use of forensic photography in the crime scene reconstruction process was evaluated. The researcher identified how SAPS detectives and Crime Scene Technicians (CST‟S) are currently conducting crime scene reconstructions by adopting forensic photography; furthermore, other methods in which forensic photography could be used to conduct crime scene reconstructions were explored. The researcher made use of an empirical design, as the information available on the research topic was limited. The empirical design, together with a qualitative research approach, allowed for real-life observations. The simple random sampling method was used to select 20:10 partcipants for this research as follows: Ten (10) detectives that investigate murder cases, and another ten (10) CST‟S that conducted crime scene reconstructions in the Durban Policing Area (DPA). Data was obtained using qualitative data collection methods that included a literature study and interviews. The findings of this research provide that the value of forensic science, as well as the use of forensic photography in the crime scene reconstruction process, was established. Evidently, detectives and CST‟S are not doing everything possible to reconstruct murder crime scenes. For recommendation, this research suggests that SAPS detectives and crime scene technicians (CST'S) adopt the fundamentals of forensic science when reconstructing murder crime scenes.<br>Criminology and Security Science<br>M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Text in English<br>This research attempts to analyse the modus operandi (MO) of perpetrators used in cases of trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, and trafficking in children. The Trafficking in Persons Bill was passed in South Africa, but not gazetted; therefore, alternate charges are used to prosecute perpetrators. The purpose, value and elements of MO allow an investigator to link a perpetrator to a specific crime scene. The research provides an examination of case dockets and the MO of perpetrators in human trafficking – inter alia, looking at such issues as time, location, transport routes used, criminal motive, recruitment styles, and the number of offenders. The MO of perpetrators identified during docket analysis indicates many similarities, when compared to the international MO of traffickers. The gathering of MO information forms a critical part of any investigation to link a perpetrator to a crime. This research therefore presents a comprehensive examination of the MO of perpetrators, and delivers practical recommendations to monitor and combat trafficking.<br>Police Practice<br>M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Intimate partner violence remains an international public health concern and a human right issue. Fewer studies have been undertaken to address the impact of partner violence on the well being of female university students. The focus has been mainly on adults’ intimate relationships such as marriage and cohabitation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the factors contributing to the perpetration of intimate partner violence among female university students in Durban. It also seeks to understand the consequences of partner violence as well as barriers in reducing partner violence among female university. The study used mixed methods of data collection. 15 in-depth interviews and three focus groups discussions were conducted in Durban. Consistent with previous research, this study found that young female university students do experience different forms of intimate partner violence, such as physical violence, sexual and verbal abuse by an intimate partner. It also shows various consequences associated with the perpetration of violence against them. Various reasons were reported as barriers in reducing partner violence against female university students. Young women accept partner violence as normal in intimate relationships. Some cases of violence are not reported in law enforcement institutions by young women which make it difficult to prevent partner violence in intimate relationships. These serve as a cause for concern as it put these women at risk of future violence. There is a great need for intimate partner violence prevention programmes in South African educational institutions including the universities.<br>Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.