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The South African Cash-In-Transit Heist Enterprise: Managing its Wellspring and Concatenation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2020

Mahlogonolo Stephina Thobane Open the ORCID record for Mahlogonolo Stephina Thobane [Opens in a new window]
Mahlogonolo Stephina Thobane*
Affiliation:
University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
*
Corresponding Author: Mahlogonolo Stephina Thobane, Department of Criminology and Security Science, School of Criminal Justice, College of Law, University of South Africa, Preller Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. E-mail: kwadims@unisa.ac.za
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Abstract

South African cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies appear to be in a state of flux. According to the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, the incidence of these crimes has steadily decreased due to rapid response by the police in arresting more than 200 suspects between June and November 2018. Given the rhizomatic, eclectic nature of this crime type – and possible mechanical linkages and/or linear causality within the genesis of the crime – it is debatable whether arrests and incarceration offer a long-term solution. CIT robbers interviewed for this study reported that they were career criminals, less likely to be rehabilitated and that incarceration was only an interruption to their career. These findings were backed by life-course theories. This article contends that if the South African Criminal Justice System wants to curb CIT robberies, an investigation into proactive methods for combating the crime should be developed and risk reduction strategies crafted. After investigating possible causes of CIT robberies, this research made recommendations based on holistic measures involving the public, family, and various government and non-governmental departments. The research was conducted for a Master of Arts degree in Criminology. A mixed-method approach was followed and 40 incarcerated offenders who committed robbery with aggravating circumstances participated in the study.

Abstracto

Abstracto

Los robos de efectivo en tránsito en Sudáfrica (CIT) parecen estar en un estado de cambio. Según el Ministro de Policía, Sr. Bheki Cele, la incidencia de estos crímenes ha disminuido constantemente debido a la rápida respuesta de la policía al arrestar a más de 200 sospechosos entre junio y noviembre de 2018. Dada la naturaleza rizomática y ecléctica de este tipo de delito, y posibles vínculos mecánicos y/o causalidad lineal dentro de la génesis del delito, es discutible si los arrestos y el encarcelamiento ofrecen una solución a largo plazo. Los ladrones de CIT entrevistados para este estudio informaron que eran delincuentes profesionales, con menos probabilidades de ser rehabilitados y que el encarcelamiento fue solo una interrupción de su carrera. Estos hallazgos fueron respaldados por teorías del curso de la vida. Este artículo sostiene que si el Sistema de Justicia Criminal (CJS) de Sudáfrica (SA) quiere frenar los robos de CIT, se debe desarrollar una investigación sobre métodos pro-activos para combatir el crimen y elaborar estrategias de reducción de riesgos. Después de investigar las posibles causas de los robos de CIT, esta investigación hizo recomendaciones basadas en medidas integrales que involucran al público, la familia y varios departamentos gubernamentales y no gubernamentales. La investigación se realizó para una maestría en criminología. Se siguió un enfoque de método mixto y participaron en el estudio 40 delincuentes encarcelados que cometieron robo en circunstancias agravantes.

Abstrait

Abstrait

Le vol d’espèces en transit en Afrique du Sud (CIT) semble en pleine mutation. Selon le ministre de la police, M. Bheki Cele, l’incidence de ces crimes a régulièrement diminué en raison de la réponse rapide de la police lors de l’arrestation de plus de 200 suspects entre juin et novembre 2018. Compte tenu de la nature rhizomatique et éclectique de ce type du crime, et les liens mécaniques possibles et/ou la causalité linéaire dans la genèse du crime: on peut se demander si les arrestations et les emprisonnements offrent une solution à long terme. Les voleurs du CIT interrogés pour cette étude ont indiqué qu’ils étaient des délinquants professionnels, moins susceptibles d’être réadaptés et que l’emprisonnement n’était qu’une interruption de carrière. Ces résultats ont été appuyés par les théories du cours de la vie. Cet article fait valoir que si le système de justice pénale (CJS) d’Afrique du Sud (SA) veut freiner le vol de CIT, une enquête sur les méthodes proactives pour lutter contre la criminalité et développer des stratégies de réduction des risques devrait être développée. Après avoir enquêté sur les causes possibles du vol de CIT, cette enquête a formulé des recommandations basées sur des mesures globales impliquant le public, la famille et divers services gouvernementaux et non gouvernementaux. La recherche a été menée pour une maîtrise en criminologie. Une approche mixte a été suivie et 40 criminels incarcérés qui ont commis un vol qualifié dans des circonstances aggravantes ont participé à l’étude.

摘要：

摘要：

南非的在途现金抢劫案呈现出不断变化的状态。据警务部长贝奇·赛莱称，由于警方在2018年6月至11月期间迅速采取行动，逮捕了200多名犯罪嫌疑人，这些罪行的发生率已经稳步下降。考虑到这种类型犯罪不拘一格的性质，以及犯罪起因中可能存在的机制联系和/或线性因果关系，逮捕和监禁是否能为此提供一个长期的解决办法值得商榷。本项研究对在途现金劫匪的采访报告表明，他们是职业罪犯，不太可能被改造复原，监禁只是中断他们的职业生涯而已。这些发现得到了生命历程理论的支持。本文认为，如果南非刑事司法系统想要遏制在途现金抢劫，就应该开展对积极主动打击犯罪方法的探讨，并制定减少风险的战略。在探讨了在途现金抢劫可能存在的原因后，本项研究以涉及公众、家庭、政府各部门和非政府部门的整体措施为基础，提出了建议。这项研究是为了获得犯罪学硕士学位而进行的。采用混合研究方法， 40名抢劫情节严重的在押罪犯参与了本研究。

ملخّص

ملخّص

يبدو أن عمليات السطو على النقد العابر في جنوب إفريقيا في حالة تغيّر مستمر. فبحسب وزير الشرطة، السيد بيكي سيلي، لقد انخفض عدد هذه الجرائم بشكل مطرد بسبب التّجاوب السّريع من قبل الشرطة في اعتقال أكثر من 200 مشتبه به بين حزيران وتشرين الثّاني 2018. وبالنظر إلى الطبيعة الانتقائية لمثل هذا النّوع من الجرائم - والروابط الميكانيكية المحتملة و/أو السببية الخطية في نشأة الجريمة – تبقى الاعتقالات والسجن كحل طويل الأجل مسألة مثيرة للجدل. أفاد لصوص النقد العابر الذين تمّت مقابلتهم لإنجاز هذه الدراسة أنّهم مجرمون مهنيّون، ومن غير المحتمل إعادة تأهيلهم، وأن السجن لم يكن سوى انقطاع تخلّل حياتهم المهنيةّ. أُسْنِدَت هذه النتائج إلى نظريّات معمّقة. تؤكد هذه المقالة أنه إذا كان نظام العدالة الجنائيّة في جنوب إفريقيا يعمل على الحد من عمليات السطو على النقد العابر، ينبغي تطوير التحقيق إلى أساليب استباقيّة لمكافحة الجريمة ووضع استراتيجيات للحد من المخاطر. بعد التحقيق في الأسباب المحتملة لسرقات النقد العابر، يقدّم هذا البحث توصيات تستند إلى تدابير شاملة تشمل العامّة من النّاس والعائلة ومختلف الإدارات الحكوميّة وغير الحكوميّة. أُعِدَّ البحث لنيل شهادة ماجستير الآداب في علم الجريمة. تم اتباع منهج الأسلوب المختلط وشارك في الدّراسة 40 من الجناة المسجونين الذين ارتكبوا السرقة في ظروف مشدّدة.

Keywords

cash-in-transit heists/robberiescriminal careersSouth Africacrime preventionatracos/robos de efectivo en tránsitocarrera criminalSudáfricaprevención del delitovols/vols d’argent en transitcarrière criminelleAfrique du Sudprévention du crime在途现金盗窃/抢劫犯罪生涯南非预防犯罪سرقات / سطوعلىالنقدالعابر؛مهنةإجراميّة؛جنوبأفريقيا؛منعالجريمة
Type
Article
Information
International Annals of Criminology , Volume 57 , Issue 1-2 , May 2019 , pp. 198 - 224
Copyright
© 2020 International Society of Criminology

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