Criminal syndicates cripple SA

CRIME experts say a slew of crimes are on the rise in South Africa, with crime syndicates and cyber criminals gaining the upper hand over a crippling and buckling criminal justice system.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

From gang-related mass shootings to sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud, organised crime is becoming more entrenched, complex, and difficult to combat.

Experts warn that without decisive action, the country risks a deepening cycle of violence and criminal control that will be increasingly difficult to reverse.

Independent crime researcher Calvin Rafadi has warned that organised crime in the country is becoming more deeply entrenched and far harder to eradicate, particularly in communities already plagued by gang activity and economic marginalisation.

Rafadi pointed to persistent gang-related violence in the Western Cape and other parts of the country, citing mass shootings at taverns and entertainment venues spaces traditionally meant for social gatherings that have increasingly become scenes of fear and bloodshed.

"These attacks are not random," Rafadi noted. "They are often linked to organised criminal activity, turf wars and the consolidation of power by violent gangs."

According to Rafadi, SAPS detectives are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of serious and violent crime cases, leaving limited capacity for thorough investigations.

He stressed that Crime Intelligence must play a far more proactive role, shifting from reactive responses to intelligence-driven interventions aimed at dismantling organised crime networks before violence erupts.