The evidential value of carcass traces in combating stock theft in South Africa

This qualitative exploratory study closely look at the evidential value of carcass traces in combating stock theft in South Africa. It was confined to the selected areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa. The Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology, DNA testing, DNA profiling or Genetic fingerprinting refers to a technique adopted to identify and distinguish livestock by their DNA samples, focusing on patterns uniqueness of DNA sources (Carcass, fingerprints, footprints, hair, skin cells, blood, bodily fluids, pieces of clothing and fibres, alike). About 49 participants were purposively sampled, all from the KZN Province. The data was collected through Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The inductive thematic methods was employed for data analysis. This study established that crime scenes involving livestock should be investigated using the same principles as any other crime scenes. It is also confirmed that every time contact is made with another person, place, or object, it results in an exchange of physical materials, carcass includes. Summarily, no matter where a stock thieve criminal go or do, by coming into contact with carcass, they can leave evidence behind, including the mentioned various DNA sources, which could positively lead to the scientific reconstruction of events, interpretation of observations and measurements from the stock theft scenes to collect physical evidence. For recommendations, the Anti-Stock theft structures should avoid mistakes in the recovering of stock theft scenes, sample collections or test procedures. They should ensure that the results are accurate by following all procedural measures, lay down guidelines for maintaining the chain of custody to ensure that the DNA tests become conclusive, and they should further provide detailed information about discovered carcass, while placing more emphasis on this type of evidence

An Exploratory Study on Causes of Identity Document Theft in South Africa

This study explores the causes of Identity Document (ID) theft in South Africa, the focus is concentrated to Polokwane Central Business District (CBD), Bendor Park, and Flora Park, and the number of stores situated in the business sectors of these areas. From a quantitative standpoint, 90 respondents were selected in this study. The findings indicate that conceptual understanding of this crime (ID theft) can play a pivotal role in addressing the manifestation of this crime in a large extent as nature and extent can be established, the use of technological means also contribute to ID theft, this is also linked to individuals (victims) ignorance. For recommendations; the use of technology and conventional method in awareness can help in responding to the scale and consequence of ID theft in the Polokwane Policing Area effectively

Exploring the Challenges of Forensic Technology in Responding to Identity Document Theft in Polokwane Policing Area, South Africa

This study explores the challenges of forensic technology in responding to Identity Document (ID) theft as an approach used by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Polokwane policing area. This study further evaluates the availability of technological and conventional resources to respond to this scourge, as well as the capabilities of the SAPS to utilise the available [lack of forensic technology] resources to respond best to ID theft. This was done by analysing preventative measures, associated with these challenges, as faced by SAPS and other relevant stakeholders on responding to this crime in the Polokwane Central Business District (CBD), Bendor Park, and Flora Park, coupled with the number of stores situated in the business sectors of these selected areas. For this study, the researchers adopted a quantitative research approach with 90 respondents in the identified areas. This study established that the secretive nature of ID theft makes it difficult for the relevant stakeholders (Not limited to the local SAPS, Businesses, and Public members as presented by this study) to effectively respond to this scourge. Negatively, the forefront gatekeepers to respond to this crime are mainly SAPS Constables with less training to investigates ID theft properly. Thus, find themselves being more reactive than proactive, which contributes to the difficulty of locating potential perpetrators in the process of conventional investigations applications. Furthermore, ID thieves utilise advanced technological resources (I.e. Computer hacking software), as opposed to SAPS which does not have systems nor capacity to effectively respond to this crime. The limited resources at the disposal of SAPS also renders its effort in responding to this crime inadequate. For recommendations; significant emphases should be directed on the promotion of public awareness through public education for the use of forensic technology as an investigative and identification tool of responding to ID theft. The intensive training of SAPS officials and inter-governmental corroboration between SAPS, Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and other relevant stakeholders in understanding this technology are highly advised

THE PREVALENCE OF ORGANISED CROSS-BORDER CRIMES IN SOUTH AFRICA: A NON-EMPIRICAL STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS ON STOCK THEFT AND HIJACKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

THE PREVALENCE OF ORGANISED CROSS-BORDER CRIMES IN SOUTH AFRICA: A NON-EMPIRICAL STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS ON STOCK THEFT AND HIJACKING OF MOTOR VEHICLE

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

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

Proposing internet of things integration into deoxyribonucleic acid technology for combating stock theft in Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa

The ever-increasing stock theft in the selected areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province seems to be uncontrollable. Heavily reliance on the use of conventional methods, such as brand-marking and tattooing and legislative frameworks, like the Stock Theft Act (No. 57 of 1959) and Animal Identification Act (No. 6 of 2002) in attempting to quell this crime currently proved ineffective. In responding to this elusive scourge, the objective of this study was to propose Internet of Things (IoT) integration into Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) technology for combating stock theft in the selected areas of KZN Province. This qualitative study was guided by the descriptive and exploratory research designs, with approximately 49 participants purposively selected from various Anti-Stock theft stakeholders. The Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interview (KIIs) were adopted for data collections. The inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was also employed for data analysis. This study established that IoT allows livestock farmers to improve their livestock management through activity and movement-monitoring. Thus, the sought integration with DNA technology can adequately aid to evidence gathering relating and livestock identification by offering DNA characteristics. It is recommended that all Anti-Stock theft stakeholders should highly consider undergoing educational courses and other related trainings based on the effective use of IoT and DNA technology to physical match livestock ear notches and brands, as well as provide specific descriptions and verifications of their near real-time visibility in varying periods respectively

CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID TECHNOLOGY IN COMBATING STOCK THEFT IN KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID TECHNOLOGY IN COMBATING STOCK THEFT IN KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRIC

A Miscellaneous Hindrances to an Effective Response to Cable Theft in Durban Railway Stations, South Africa

This study focuses on notable miscellaneous hindrances to an effective response to cable theft in Durban railway stations of South Africa. From a qualitative standpoint; data was collected from Eight (8) purposively selected individuals to solicit their respective perceptions and experiences on this subject. This involved the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) ‘Security Personnels – Cable Theft Investigators and Cable Theft Railway Patrollers, all involved in combating cable theft in Durban railway stations. Inductive Thematic Analysis was used for data analysis. This study found that scrap metal dealers are the major key contributors to cable theft in the Durban railway stations; and also the value of copper cable on the market promotes the exponential rise of cable theft. It was also established that, there was no proper protection of the rail infrastructure, and cable thieves get lighter sentences. It was further stablished that cable theft is perpetuated by the shortage of indispensable resources and workforce or police visibility in the stations. For the recommendations: More attention must be paid to scrap metal dealers by offering strict rules on the issuing of trading licenses. Moreover, severe stiff sentences should be handed to pontetial offenders and better working relations should be established, with more resources geared to the PRASA security department

Stock Theft: Rural Livestock Farmers’ Entrepreneurial Perspectives

The collation between stock theft and rural livestock farmers’ entrepreneurial perspectives receive limited attention in the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as ‘Business Administration’ nor entrepreneurial dominance industry. Conventionally, stock theft is nothing new in South Africa, traditional interpretations and recorded cases can be reportedly traced back to 1806. This study reflects the duality of stock theft, offering criminological [Theoretical] explanations and glimpses of attractive business enterprises by adopting the three elements of ‘Timmons Model of Entrepreneurial Process’ through the use of non-empirical research design: Systematic review, while featuring the most affected areas by stock theft in the Eastern Cape (EC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga (MP) Provinces respectively, while focusing on 2014-2020 financial years. This study establishes provides that this crime, instead of making more business avenues for rural livestock farmers, will continue to decrease the number of job opportunities. It is recommended that the South African government (I.e. national, provincial and local levels), agricultural industries, and the local South African Police Service Stock Theft Units (SAPS STUs) as a collective and commodity organisations will have to gravely consider offering adequate services required to bring workable solutions for initiation of entrepreneurial activities in the selected provinces

Social dimension of risk behaviours among adolescent prostitutes: Insight from South-Western Nigeria

This study examined the social dimension of risk behaviours among adolescent prostitutes in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. More specifically, it examined the relationship between educational attainment and use of drug among female adolescent sex workers, investigated the relationship between use of drug and tendency for criminal behaviour among female adolescent sex workers, examined the impact of drug use on the nature of sex of female adolescent sex workers, established the relationship between educational attainment and consistent use of male condom by female adolescent sex workers. Cross-sectional survey and in-depth interview research methods were adopted to generate both quantitative and qualitative data from the respondents. Findings of the study showed that 90.7% of the respondents joined the sex industry because of poverty and lack of other means of getting daily food. 98.6% of the respondents that participated in the research inquiry had knowledge about diseases that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse; while all the respondents had knowledge about the existence of HIV/AIDS, 91.7% of them identified sexual intercourse as a major route of HIV transmission. There was a significant relationship between the use of drug and nature of sex of female sex workers at P < 0.05. Specifically, 99.7% of the respondents used male condoms regularly in every sexual act, 5.5% of the respondents used female condoms at irregular intervals in every sexual act, while 84.8% compromised the use of condoms with financial rewards. Consequently, a high percentage of the population was assumed to be at risk of HIV/AIDS, while 7.2% of the sample had become pregnant while on the job and 3.1% of these pregnancies were terminated through induced abortion. Furthermore, 44.1% of the drug-addicted and low-income sex workers were found to be mostly involved in criminal activities while 60.3% of the sampled populations were victims of different types of violent sexual experience. In conclusion, socio-economic constraints are the primary factors that push adolescent girls into prostitution in Nigeria and these same factors hinder them from practicing safe sex within the sex industry. Thus, it is recommended that the Nigerian government should develop programmes that will reduce poverty level and unemployment trend, in order to reduce adolescent/adult prostitution with its attendant problems of HIV transmission and criminal activities in the country