Global organized crime is an evolving, profit-driven activity that embraces new markets and new technologies. It refers to a broad spectrum of constantly changing activities that have moved from traditional hierarchies toward more flexible, network-based forms of organization. The world we live in is, to some extent, a victim of its own success. This success created a prosperous underworld full of criminal activities due to globalization and the rise of growing economies. The globalization of legal economies has given rise to an illicit underworld, as one of its more disruptive effects is allowing people to operate in an organized manner and efficiently under the radar in illicit markets.
according to Global Organized Crime Index 2023South Africa is ranked seventh among the countries with the highest organized crime rate globally and third in Africa. This is an achievement of which any government should be ashamed. The index highlights how major political changes and economic difficulties directly impact the dynamics of organized crime around the world. South Africa is at the crossroads of being both a source of organized crime and a destination for criminals to commit these crimes.
due to crime
The index shows that South Africa is struggling with more than one type of organized crime. These include human, arms, organ and drug trafficking, child labour, labor exploitation, domestic slavery and child brides. These forms of organized crime have created thriving criminal markets that are supported by the influence of criminal actors – who have been responsible for years of state capture – and criminal networks that are highly interconnected.
It is important to distinguish between two main groups within organized groups, namely regional and trafficking groups. Territorial groups are structured as hierarchical criminal groups. Their methods include violence, and they focus on honor and respect as an operational agenda. These groups are more prominent among street gangs in the Western Cape. Trafficking groups, on the other hand, are invisible and driven by profit and opportunities within crime networks.
They are difficult to identify and can easily deal in illegal drugs in public places. Trafficking groups initially emerge as regional groups in geographically defined contexts before developing into trafficking groups. These groups can exist on their own within the context of the organized crime underworld. However, they can also merge into a single main group, as regional groups can become primarily a trafficking group if it outgrows its regional characteristics. This suggests an uneven global criminal economy that exists between these groups, with a divide between criminal activities in urban and rural environments.
within the state
Organized crime is often so powerful that it can create its own states within states and undermine the integrity of its host states and national borders. Naturally, crime has long been employed as a tactic to finance political insurgency. Organized crime can directly affect national security resources, whether through plundering state budgets (with implications for defense spending) or by undermining morale and discipline.
South Africa's national security and intelligence policies struggle to keep up with crime growth. These developments have posed a challenge as the South African Police Service and the South African National Defense Force are strategically designed to deal with other states diplomatically. It has become extremely difficult for governments to coordinate with sovereignty-free actors around the world, let alone at the local level.
Once organized crime moves beyond South African borders into neighboring countries police services are less likely to intervene. Authorities' hands are tied, as each country has its own unique laws dealing with crime. The international community is not yet adequately equipped to respond within these states.
Underworld exposed
The growing gap between organized crime and our collective resilience efforts highlights the urgent need for informed, practical strategies to combat organized crime. Collaboration between communities and the government should be promoted to combat organized crime. South Africa's growing instability is leading to a serious economic crisis, which is shaking the foundations of governance.
Criminals choose to work in the underworld for many reasons. Some groups do this because it is easier with no repercussions; Others are forced to join these groups due to financial desperation and a rush to secure income. What gives organized crime in South Africa the advantage is the lack of effective law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and prosecute criminal syndicates.
The government has created self-imposed constraints, such as its low institutional capacity, corruption, and the growing influence of corrupt state officials, which have hindered the ability of civil society to provide adequate assistance to citizens. Decades of corruption between government institutions and criminal organizations have ultimately eroded communities' trust in government and law enforcement and have also negatively impacted the resilience of these governing bodies.
Community-based crime prevention strategies are adopted around the world to deal with various types of criminal activities. These prevention strategies include regular neighborhood patrols designed to enhance citizen safety and neighborhood watch groups. These strategies incorporate input from local residents and provide a comprehensive approach to addressing and preventing crime.
The ultimate goal is to foster a spirit of cooperation within communities to combat organized crime. As a result, there is a growing trend towards community-based flexible responses to wider crimes, provided they remain within the bounds of legal compliance, and this approach is generally encouraged.
Charney Mostert is a campaigns officer at AfriForum. She has an Honors degree (Cum Laude) in International Politics and is pursuing a Master's degree in Security Studies at the University of Pretoria. Charney typically publishes on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Tik Tok.