South Africa’s Alarming Organized Crime Score: A Deepening Crisis

South Africa has a really serious problem with organized crime, scoring 7.18 on the Global Organized Crime Index in 2023. This score is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa and much higher than many of its Southern African neighbors. It shows just how deep and complex the illegal activities are within the country.

Comparative Analysis When you compare South Africa’s organized crime score to other Southern African states, it really stands out:

• Mozambique: 6.48
• Zimbabwe: 6.37
• Namibia: 4.02
• Botswana: 3.27

These numbers highlight how unique and challenging South Africa’s fight against organized crime is. One of the major issues driving this high score is the widespread illegal trade of perlemoen, a highly valued abalone.

The Abalone Smuggling Crisis Abalone, or perlemoen as it’s known locally, is heavily poached in South Africa because it’s in high demand in East Asian markets, especially Hong Kong. Syndicates have been involved in abalone poaching since the 1970s. These crime networks exchange precursor chemicals for abalone, creating a cash-free trade system with local groups.

The Role of Precursor Chemicals Precursor chemicals are key for making methamphetamines and other drugs. They are often traded for smuggled perlemoen. These chemicals are used to produce illegal drugs sold both within South Africa and abroad. This barter system not only supports the illegal drug trade but sadly also makes local communities dependent on the system and embeds them within it.

Impact on Coastal Communities The illegal abalone trade has a severe impact on South Africa’s coastal communities. As perlemoen stocks decrease due to overfishing and poaching, local economies become more dependent on illegal activities. This shift undermines legitimate livelihoods and makes communities rely on criminal networks. The trade of smuggled perlemoen for precursor chemicals creates a dangerous cycle of crime and corruption, disrupting the social fabric of these communities, as an example take the Western Cape City of Hawston. Perlemoen smuggling has in the past , even gone as far as to affect it’s mayor.

One major impact is the decline of traditional fishing practices that have sustained these communities for generations. As poaching becomes more profitable, fewer people engage in legal fishing, leading to economic and ecological issues, as their hard work get’s undermined by poachers. The illegal trade also exposes people to related crimes like drug trafficking and money laundering, making them vulnerable to exploitation by crime syndicates.

The Need for Robust Measures The South African government’s past lack of action and inconsistent enforcement have allowed the illegal abalone trade to grow. Efforts like Operation Neptune and Operation Trident, while initially promising, were hindered by insufficient resources and implementation problems. More recent measures, like stopping the legal sale of confiscated abalone in 2018, show that the problem is recognized but don’t fully address the root causes.

To effectively fight the high levels of organized crime, South Africa needs a multifaceted approach:

• Enhanced Enforcement: Strengthening law enforcement capabilities and improving coordination among agencies.
• International Cooperation: Working with international partners to break down smuggling networks and regulate trade.
• Community Engagement: Providing alternative livelihoods and building community resilience against organized crime.
• Education Initiatives: Implementing educational programs starting in primary schools and continuing through higher education, along with public service announcements and posters, to raise awareness about the dangers and impacts of organized crime.

Conclusion South Africa’s high organized crime score highlights the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained efforts to tackle the underlying issues. By addressing the illegal abalone trade and its related criminal activities, the country can protect its beautiful natural heritage and support the sustainable development of its coastal communities. The involvement of foreign interest groups, shows how complex the problem is and the need for a global response to this pressing issue.

PIPA

Sources

“Empty Shells: An assessment of abalone poaching and trade from southern Africa”: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. (2018). Empty Shells: An assessment of abalone poaching and trade from southern Africa.

“Global Organized Crime Index – 2023”: Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. (2023). Global Organized Crime Index – 2023.