Deconstructing Gangsterism in South Africa: Uncovering the Need for Gender-Sensitive Policies

Main Article Content

Clara Viltoft

Abstract

Although the dawn of democracy promised a new beginning in South Africa, lingering effects of Apartheid remained, including the struggle to address gang violence and gender-based violence amidst the backdrop of widespread organised crime and corruption, social inequality, a sluggish economy, and poor service delivery. The last policy - National Anti-Gangsterism Strategy (2017) - required implementation at provincial level. This study examines the Western Cape policy content and deconstructs the concept of gangsterism. The paper shows that sustained anti-gang strategies and interventions demand structural obstacles and inequality are addressed in the context of the spill-over from the Apartheid era. Notably, it will be concluded that there are long-term benefits of reframing the problem of gangsterism in the Western Cape as ‘a youth-at-risk-crisis’ with specific attention gender-sensitivity to contribute to local peacebuilding by focusing on youth to exert agency and become empowered in pursuit of individual and community resilience and active citizenry.

Article Details

Section
Articles (refereed)

References

ADHIKARI, M. 2008. From Narratives Of Miscegenation To Post-Modernist Re-Imagining: Toward A Historiography Of Coloured Identity In South Africa. African Historical Review, 40, 77-100.
ALEXANDER, P. 2010. Rebellion of the poor: South Africa's service delivery protests–a preliminary analysis. Review of African political economy, 37, 25-40.
ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS OF THE UK AND THE COMMONWEALTH. 2011. ASA Ethical Guidelines: Ethical Guidelines For Good Research Practice [Online]. [Accessed 8 November 2016].
AZAR, E. E. & MOON, C.-I. 1986. Managing Protracted Social Conflicts In The Third World: Facilitation And Development Diplomacy. Millennium, 15, 393-406.
BACCHI, C. L. 1996. The Politics Of Affirmative Action: 'Women', Equality And Category Politics, Sage.
BACCHI, C. L. 1999. Women, Policy And Politics: The Construction Of Policy Problems, London
BACCHI, C. L. 2009. Analysing Policy: What's The Problem Represented To Be?, Frenchs Forest Pearson.
BACCHI, C. L. 2012. Chapter 2: Introducing The 'What's The Problem Represented To Be?' Approach. In: BLETSAS, A. & BEASLEY, C. (eds.) Engaging with Carol Bacchi: Strategic Interventions & Exchanges. Adelaide: University of Adelaide Press.
BAROLSKY, V. 2016. Is Social Cohesion Relevant To A City in the Global South? A Case Study Of Khayelitsha Township. SA Crime Quarterly, 17-30.
BUTHELEZI, M. & MOFOKENG, J. 2015. Crime Prevention At Local Level In South Africa: Challenges Regarding The Implementation Of Community Safety Forums. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 28, 109-127.
DOUGAN, L. 2 November 2018. Launch Of Anti-Gang Unit Brings A Ray Of Hope For The Gangster-Ridden Areas Of The Cape Flats. Daily Maverick.
ESBENSEN, F. A., OSGOOD, D. W., PETERSON, D., TAYLOR, T. J. & CARSON, D. C. 2013. Short‐ And Long‐Term Outcome Results From A Multisite Evaluation Of The GREAT Program. Criminology & Public Policy, 12, 375-411.
FISHER, R. J. 2001. Cyprus: The Failure Of Mediation And The Escalation Of An Identity-Based Conflict To An Adversarial Impasse. Journal of Peace Research, 38, pp. 307-326.
GODDARD, M. 2018. A Critical Analysis Of Problem Representations In Basic Education Policy In The Democratic South Africa. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University.
IKEJIAKU, B.-V. 2009. The Relationship Between Poverty, Conflict and Development. Journal of Sustainable Development, 2, 15-28.
MISAGO, J. P. 2011. Disorder In A Changing Society: Authority And The Micro-Politics Of Violence. In: LANDAU, L. B. (ed.) Exorcising The Demons Within: Xenophobia, Violence, and Statecraft in Contemporary South Africa.
OSBORNE, T. 1997. Of Health And Statecraft. Foucault, health and medicine, 173-188.
PAYNE, S. 28 August 2017. Where's The Strategy In SAPS' Anti-Gangsterism Strategy? [Online]. Notes from the House (Cape Town). Available: http://www.notesfromthehouse.co.za/news/iten/80-where-s-the-strategy-in-saps-anti-gangsterism-strategy [Accessed 6 June 2018].
PETRUS, T. 2014. Policing South Africa's Ganglands: A Critique Of A Aaramilitary Approach. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 27, 14-24.
PINNOCK, D. & PINNOCK, R. 2019. Strategic Roadmap Towards Implementation Of The National Anti-Gangsterism Strategy In The Western Cape: Provincial Response To The National Anti-Gangsterism Strategy (NAGS) 2019. South African Drug Policy Initiative
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE 23 August 2018. Committee Meeting: Hawks Illegal Firearms Unit; SAPS Anti-Gang Strategy; Quarter 1 Performance; Vetting Senior Management. Parlimentary Monitoring Group.
SEEDAT, M., VAN NIEKERK, A., JEWKES, R., SUFFLA, S. & RATELE, K. 2009. Violence And Injuries In South Africa: Prioritising An Agenda For Prevention. The Lancet, 374, 1011-1022.
SMART, C. 1996. The Power Of Law. In: MUNCIE, J. E. A. (ed.) Criminological Perspectives: A Reader. London: Thousand Oakes; New Dehli in Association with the Open University: Sage Publications.
STAFF REPORTER. 23 October 2019. Western Cape Government Slated For 'Sitting On Its Own Anti-Gangsterism Report'. Cape Times.
STAFF WRITER 12 July 2019. South Africa Is Deploying The Army To Fight Crime - Here's How The Murder Rate Compares To An Actual War Zone. BusinessTech
STEMMET, J.-A. 2006. Troops, Townships And Tribulations: Deployment Of The South African Defence Force (SADF) In The Township Unrest Of The 1980s. Journal for Contemporary History, 31, 178-193.
YIN, R. K. 2003. Case Study Research: Methods, CA: Sage, Thousand Oaks.