Perspectives on Stock Theft Prevention in the Selected Provinces of South Africa: Failures and Successes

Authors

  • Witness Maluleke Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Limpopo (UL) – University of South Africa (UNISA), Department of Police Practice, College of Law, South Africa
  • Ntwanano Patrick Tshabalala Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, UL, South Africa
  • Aden Dejene Tolla Lecturer, Criminology and Forensics Studies Discipline (CFSD), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2021.10.121

Keywords:

Agricultural economy, Failures, LIM Province, KZN Province. Perspectives, Stock theft prevention, Successes, South Africa.

Abstract

Residents of Limpopo (LIM) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province are witnessing higher rates of stock theft, with the inhabitants of the selected communities living in fear for the prevention of this scourge. This study explores the extent of this crime in the selected areas of LIM and KZN, considering contributory factors, determining the relationship between the South African Police Service Stock Theft Units (SAPS STUs) and other relevant stakeholders, as well as looking at existing strategies (And their failures and successes) in responding to this crime effectively. A qualitative research approach coupled with Non-probability: Purposive sampling was used in this study. The targeted population consisted of 113 participants. For data collections, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Observation Schedules were adopted. lack of appropriate preventative measures has led to rise of stock theft, it was, therefore, discovered that both the affected livestock farmers and members of the community lost confidence toward the police, Besides, the perspectives on stock theft prevention in LIM and KZN reflect a greater challenge, with inadequate solutions present, since the current preventative measures are ineffective. Thus, understanding stock theft phenomenon is critical to its prevention as the sector of livestock in South Africa is the contributory key to the value of the agricultural economy.

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Published

2021-05-28

How to Cite

Maluleke, W. ., Tshabalala, N. P. ., & Tolla, A. D. . (2021). Perspectives on Stock Theft Prevention in the Selected Provinces of South Africa: Failures and Successes. International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, 10, 1029–1038. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2021.10.121

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