NCJ Number
207378
Journal
Forum on Crime and Society Volume: 3 Issue: 1 & 2 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 141-155
Date Published
December 2003
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article presents an overview of crime trends in the 11 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as crime-control and criminal justice policies.
Abstract
The 11 countries that are the subjects of this analysis are Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malaw, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Key officials and informed observers throughout the region report that criminal activities, including organized drug trafficking, pose a significant threat to effective governance and an improved social order. The capacity for official data collection and analysis of crime and drug patterns is generally poor and inconsistent, and underfunded and inexperienced officials in key agencies have not accessed the international assistance that is available. Crime prevention capacities are generally weak. Organized crime is apparently increasing in much, if not all, of the region, with South Africa being the regional hub for organized crime's drug trafficking. Corruption of public officials, which tends to be associated with organized crime, encompasses bribes to police, customs and judicial officers, teachers, medical personnel, and other state officials in exchange for special favors. There is extensive public dissatisfaction with police performance; courts lack resources and trained legal personnel; and prisons suffer from extreme overcrowding. This analysis is intended to encourage the development of partnerships to address crime and criminal justice problems within and among the countries of the region. 7 references