Assessing the role of King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality on crime prevention
Date
2020
Authors
Nogwanya, Sibusiso
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Abstract
The study argues that municipalities play a crucial role in economic growth and in creating employment opportunities for the communities they serve. Furthermore, municipalities are required to take part in crime prevention initiatives in all social groupings under their jurisdictions. This is based on the fact that the design and structural arrangements of South African local government make it easier for them to fight crime at the lower stratum of our society.
The mandate of municipalities to fight crime is informed by chapter 7 of South African Constitution of 1996, which elucidates that local government should play a key role in leading a locally based social and economic development. In addition, the White Paper on Safety and Security, 1998 states that local government should play a leading role in local crime prevention through multi-agency partnerships. The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) (1996) advocates for the maximum involvement of the community and government departments in crime prevention. The study was conducted in KSD Local Municipality and the reason for this decision is that crime statistics reveal that the majority of criminal acts in the Eastern Cape are most prevalent in KSD local Municipality. Through assessing the role of KSD Local Municipality in crime prevention the study discovered that KSDLM has not met the needs of local communities as many participants who were interviewed express that the municipality is not active in fighting crime, further the study uncovered that the municipality did not have proper mechanisms in place to combat crime. This leads to an in increase in criminal activities.
Based on the responses received, it was also uncovered that crime is frequently committed by young people between the ages of 18 to 25. Young people do not have jobs and are excluded from participating in the economy, which leads to criminal activities. KSD must therefore start to intensify crime prevention programs and come up with strategic plans to combat crime, as this is one of their key priorities.
The municipality must further address socio-economic needs of society as part of the crime prevention package. The significance of the study can be drawn from The National Crime Prevention Strategy (1996) and the White Paper of 1998 which state that local government should promote a safe and healthy environment; and to encourage the involvement of communities and community organizations in the matters of local government, thus crime prevention and community safety is central to local development
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management)