The continuity of police brutality in post-apartheid South Africa

The objects of this research are: First, to highlight that police brutality is still ongoing in South Africa despite the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa in 1994. Second, to explore the concept of police brutality and its definitional related concepts like excessive force, reasonable force, lethal force, and de-escalation. Third, to explore possible avenues of rebuilding citizens’ loss of trust and confidence in the police. The researcher investigated the following problems: Police excessive use of force on citizens resulting in injuries or loss of lives, understanding of reasonable force, when can police officers make use of force, a lack of proper police accountability, and citizens’ lack of trust and confidence of the police. The main results of the research are: first, police brutality is still ongoing in South Africa due to reported incidents of brutality in some instances resulting in loss of lives at the hands of the police. Second, a conceptualization of police/citizen partnership is needed in South Africa, benefits derived from community police need to be explored more for the understanding of all stakeholders. Third, the culture of promoting violence within and outside the police service needs to be addressed. Fourth, Police brutality is an abuse of power, it portrays police officers in a bad light seen by many as oppressive apparatus of the state designed to perpetuate immediate unlawful violence against citizens. The police service has a lot to do when it comes to winning the hearts and minds of citizens. Contemporary policing must respect the rights and dignity of citizens and enforce the law without fear or favour within the laid down the constitutional mandate. The area of practical use of the research are all citizens affected by crime, police and safer communities, human rights organisations, university students and staff members of the criminal justice departmen

The stalemate of community policing in South Africa

With the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa, new police service was needed to promote the transition to democracy. Community policing was introduced from the United Kingdom in the 1990s into South Africa as a channel to heal the wounds and injustices of the past. Over Twenty-five years down the road, community policing in South Africa has made little or no impact on the majority of South Africans who will openly admit that they do not attend their local community forums, because they simply do not trust the police because of its oppressive past. It is a widely held view by several South Africans that the Police Service simply cannot change overnight from being a very brutal force to become the protectors of citizen’s human rights. This research is a qualitative study; whereby an extensive literature review was carried, exploring the issues and concepts related to community policing. The findings are that community policing has achieved its desired results. All citizens must go back to the drawing board again to bring community policing back on track for the benefit of all citizens to whom the police serve and protect. The author argues that the bitterness and divisions of the past must put be put to one side and that all citizens must co-create a country, where all South Africans are proudly part of and allowed to make their contributions

A Peace Paradigm in Social Work.

Social work is usually seen as a profession with a localized focus but it is eclectic as it borrows from various disciplines for its theoretical framework, which makes it at times disjointed with no cohesion in the various dimensions of its practice. There have been several calls for a change of paradigm in Social Work. This paper takes a critical look at the profession and joins the myriad of calls for the expansion of the Social Work focus. In particular, this article introduces a peace paradigm, which would essentially integrate peace issues and peace perspectives into Social Work practice

The socio-economic impact of the Covid-19: a South African perspective on its impact on the socio-economic, inequality, security, and food systems

The objects of this research are: first, to highlight some of the socio-economic impact, arising out of the government's strict lockdown rules due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Second, to explore the psychological effects of the new normal on citizens, arising out of the lockdown. The author investigated the following problems: social problems, caused by restricted movements, increase interpersonal violence crimes, and economic problems due to job losses, emanating from several businesses closures. The main results of the research are: very high number of death rates with over (78 000), succumbing to coronavirus in South Africa, high unemployment, threats of food scarcity, educational setbacks due to schools closure, economic inequality gap, more widely pronounced, and hospitals, put under severe pressure due high patients needs. The area of practical use of the research is for all citizens, directly affected by the global pandemic. The research highlights the significance of the use of technology to inform and support lifelong learning using more e-learning platforms as an alternative for the old pedagogic delivery of lectures. The innovative technological products, arising out of the lockdown, were several e-learning softwares introduced. Apps like ‘uber eats; Vromo; Open Table; and ChatFood were all introduced and made delivery of fast food to our homes relatively easy. Several e-learning products were made popular: Microsoft teams; Zoom; Skype; Canvas; Ariculate 360; 7 taps; Spayee and teachable. The Scope of the innovative technology products were more pronounced in both the hospitality, catering industries, and educational institutions

Exploring the high murder rate in South Africa

The objects of this research are: first, to explain some of the causes of high murder rates in South Africa. Second, to refute the labelling of South Africa as the murder capital of the world. Third, exploring some alternative ways to violence resulting in deaths. The author investigated the following problems: murder done predominately by men, the inefficiency or shortcomings of the police to investigate murder successfully and lack of reports showing a drastic reduction of murders rates, possible due to lenient sanctions given by the courts. The main results of the research are: First, South Africa has been incorrectly referred to as the murder capital of the world. A label that scares would be visitors away from the country. This misleading labelling turned out to be factually incorrect according to several reports. Second, there are myriads of reasons why the death rates are very high in South Africa namely: varieties and normalization of violence; socio-economic inequalities; high youth unemployment rates; alcohol and drugs; culture of violence; easy access to firearms; lenient prison sentence; membership of gangsters; ineffective police investigation units; Mental illnesses or psychotic disorders and satanic beliefs. The area of practical use of the research: is for all citizens, directly or indirectly affected by police and safer communities. Criminal justice students in higher institutions and criminal justice practitioners, government officials, and policymakers

The continuing relevance of late Dr W.E.B. Du Bois to African scholarship

The objects of this research are: first, to explore the uniqueness and visionary thinking of Dr W.E.B. Du Bois concerning the concept of race and racism over time. Second, to highlight the socio-economic conditions and disempowerment of blacks living in different countries of the world. Third, is an attempt to review his work and its relevance to African scholarship by using the qualitative research method, enabling us to understand the philosophical impetus arising out of his valuable contribution to African scholarship. The author investigated the following problems: social problems, caused by racism, discrimination race, exploitation, black disempowerment, inequality, and social justice. The main results of the research are: The findings of this study are: first, the importance of unity of the Africa people is crucial for its development. Second, the implementation of educational policies, political leadership, a vibrant economy, and the establishment of the military to protect Africa’s global interests are all very important for its survival and development. Third, is the highlighting of the level of grave injustice faced by both Dr Du Bois and his wife in the hands of the US law enforcement services. Fourth, it was found that the African continent is not economically independent. Fifth, it is only through the unity of African peoples and countries that it can eventually lead to its development and progress. The area of practical use of the research is for all citizens, directly or indirectly affected by race, racism, disempowerment, and social inequalities that still permeate contemporary societies

An insight into the socio-psycho contexts and modus operandi of South Africa’s worst serial killers over time

Over the years, several myths have been peddled within societies and academic circles in relation to exploring the mysterious lives of serial killers. Socio-psycho factors have been used to explain some of their criminal behaviour. Some mythologies about serial killers are that most of them are loners, abused children, and sexually motivated killers. Some researchers have also attributed mental challenges, drugs, and alcohol as possible motives for serial killers. In some instances, some serial killers have confessed to heard unknown controlling voices, urging them to kill their victims. We are not in a rational or neutral position to know whether voices, hearing by serial killers, are actually factual experiences or not. However, to enter a plea of insanity for murder is widely known with the criminal law field. This is the reason why in some cases, offenders are accessed to ascertain their fitness to stand trial. This article deals with a very serious challenging crime and highlights the safety of citizens. The article has three aims, first, to explore and debunk the secretive world of serial killers. Second, to explore the serial killer’s motives and modus operandi. Third, to highlight the dangers serial killers pose to society. Some of the findings are that serial killer does not always live a life of a loner, and some understudy of serial killers found out some of them live a family life. Several serial killers were abused as children and from dysfunctional families and social backgrounds. Most serial killers are men and there is a patriarchal domineering and controlling personality, ascribed to serial killer

The reconciliation of the development and implementation of police accountability in the United Kingdom

The objects of this research are: first, to explain some of the issues surrounding police accountability in the United Kingdom. Second, to make attempts in reconciling two opposing views as to whom police in the UK are accountable for? Third, to clarify the vagueness and ambiguous definitional concepts of the police constable, constabulary independence, and the use of police discretionary powers. The author investigated the following problems: lack of police proper accountability, vague and ambiguous meaning of constabulary independence constable oath of office, and the use of police discretionary powers. The main results of the research are: first, more clarity is needed as to whom is the British police accountable to? Second, a review of the current oath of office for police constable, the implementation of finding by previous committees set up by government: Lord Scarman, Rt Hon Christopher Patten, and Lord Nolan reports. Third, the monitoring of police officers' use of discretionary powers. The area of practical use of the research: is for all citizens, directly or indirectly affected by police and safer communities. Criminal justice students in higher institutions and criminal justice practitioners, government officials, and policymakers

The changing landscape of the spaza retail outlet amongst black South Africans

The Spaza retail outlet is predominately found in South Africa’s black populated areas or townships. It also has a historical significance to it because, during the apartheid years, black people were not allowed to move freely by the white minority rule. This study is qualitative research where the author carried out an extensive literature review to look first, at the background, characteristics, challenges, and future directions that affect the Spaza micro businesses in South Africa. The research aims to first highlight the importance of micro-businesses. Second, to highlight the need for South Africa’s government initiatives to support small businesses for sustainable growth of the economy and to explore whether this support is far-reaching enough to protect the Spaza retail shops. The authors rely on Karl Marx's theory of class struggle as the theory informing the study. Some of the findings are: Spaza owners need to be more trained in business management, entrepreneurial skills, advertisement, social networking and marketing research, accounting and bookkeeping, technology, and innovation concerning promoting their businesses. The Spaza's annual revenue stream for the South Africa government currently stands at 5.2 % of the GDP