CML152 Criminology – Crime, Prevention and Murder
Question 1
Case Study
The case study provided is directly applicable to Question 1. Read the scenario below and answer Question 1 that follows.
| Crime Escalation in KwaMashu Township |
| KwaMashu, a large township outside Durban, has seen a sharp rise in violent and property-related crimes over the past year. Residents report frequent assaults, robberies and drug-related incidents, while schools struggle with gang recruitment among learners. Teachers note that peer pressure and exposure to violent role models have normalised aggression among youth. Although official crime statistics show an increase in reported incidents, community members argue that many crimes go unreported due to fear of retaliation, mistrust of authorities and cultural stigma surrounding offences such as sexual violence. This has created tension between what is reflected in official records and the lived reality of residents. Local businesses have been targeted by burglaries and cash-in-transit heists, further destabilising the community. Residents complain that cases are often withdrawn, investigations are delayed and offenders return quickly to the streets. Overcrowded detention facilities and limited rehabilitation programmes mean that many offenders cycle back into the community without meaningful reintegration support. At the same time, socio-economic conditions remain dire. Unemployment is high, many families live below the breadline and informal settlements lack proper sanitation, housing and access to quality education. Young people are particularly vulnerable, with limited opportunities and exposure to crime syndicates and drug networks. This situation highlights the importance of understanding how the criminal justice process unfolds, how crime statistics are measured and interpreted and how socio-economic factors predispose individuals to crime. |
| Source: Fictitious case study |
- Using the scenario, explain the functioning of the criminal justice system in responding to violent crime. (9)
- Explain the role of first responders in the incident. (3 marks)
- Explain the role of the judicial process in the incident. (3 marks)
- Explain the role of detention and rehabilitation in sentencing outcomes. (3 marks)
- Crime statistics provide insight into crime patterns, but also present certain challenges. (9)
- Discuss what is meant by crime trends (1 mark) and illustrate how they are measured. (2 marks)
- Explain the concept of the dark figure of crime (1 mark) and how it affects the reliability of crime statistics. (2 marks)
- Apply this concept to the scenario by explaining how unreported crimes in KwaMashu distort official statistics. (3 marks)
- Analyse the socio-economic factors that predispose individuals to crime in KwaMashu. In your answer: (7)
- Describe at least two socio-economic conditions evident in the scenario (2 marks) and show how each affects individuals or communities (2 marks).
- Using the KwaMashu case study, discuss how poverty and poor education interact to increase vulnerability to crime (2 marks) and explain why this makes crime prevention more complex (1 mark).
Question 2
- Nature and Extent of Traffic Crime.
- Describe at least two common traffic crimes. (3 marks)Discuss how the traffic crimes you described above impact victims and communities. (3 marks)
- Provide one example of how traffic crime statistics can be used to inform prevention strategies. (2 marks)
The scenario below is directly applicable to Question 2.2. Read the scenario below and answer Question 2.2.
| Scenario South Africa experiences high levels of driving under the influence (DUI), especially during weekends and public holidays. Authorities often rely on secondary prevention approaches to reduce these offences, such as targeting high-risk times and locations. |
| Source: Fictitious case study |
- Crime Prevention Approaches. Using this scenario above, answer the following: (9)
- Explain the three levels of crime prevention (primary, secondary, tertiary). (3 marks)
- Apply the secondary prevention approach to the DUI scenario described above. (3 marks)
- Why would a secondary crime prevention level approach be used for DUI offences in South Africa? (3 marks)
- Theories and Community Strategies. (8)
- Explain Routine Activity Theory (RAT). (3 marks)
- Apply RAT to a traffic crime of your choice. (3 marks)
- Discuss two challenges that communities face in sustaining traffic-crime prevention initiatives. (2 marks)
Question 3
Case Study
Read the scenario below and answer Question 3 based on the information provided.
| Scenario |
| Late one evening, two police officials responded to reports of an armed robbery near a busy transport hub. While patrolling the area, they were ambushed by a group of armed suspects who had been monitoring police movements. One officer was fatally shot, while the other sustained serious injuries. Investigations revealed that the suspects were part of an organised criminal group involved in drug trafficking and cash-in-transit robberies. Evidence suggested that the gang deliberately targeted police officials to weaken law enforcement presence and assert control over the area. Community members expressed fear, noting that such killings are often used by criminal groups to intimidate residents and discourage cooperation with authorities. The incident sparked outrage, with SAPS leadership emphasising the dangers faced by officers and calling for stronger protective measures. |
| Source: Fictitious case study |
Write an essay in which you demonstrate your understanding of the different subtypes of murder and application of criminological theory, using the provided case study. The essay must follow the scientific structure of an essay type question. Follow the requirements below.
Title (1 mark)
- Introduction (1 mark): Explain the importance of studying the different subtypes of murder.
- Definition of key concepts (4 marks): Define murder and murderer (2 marks each).
- Subtype of Murder (8 marks):
- Identify the relevant subtype of murder and explain its characteristics. (3 marks)
- Explain why the scenario fits the features of this subtype. (2 marks)
- Discuss possible motives or reasons behind this type of murder. (3 marks)
- Criminological Theory Application (10 marks):
- Outline the basic premises of Social Disorganisation Theory. (4 marks)
- Apply the Social Disorganisation Theory to the case study to explain why police officials may be targeted. (6 marks)
- Conclusion (1 mark): Summarise how understanding the subtype and applying theory can help in prevention of this subtype of murder.
Experts Answer on Above Questions on Criminology
Crime escalation in KwaMashu
First responders – it is the police officers that respond to reported crimes, protect victims and arrest suspects.
Judicial process – the evidence are evaluated by prosecutors and apply charges, the court determines the guilt through a fair trial and if convicted, they apply appropriate sentences.
The tension and rehabilitation – detention helps in protecting the community while the offenders serve sentences. Rehabilitation programmes are aimed at solving the problems of substance abuse and skills deficit in order to reduce any repeat offending.
Crime trends – Crime Trends are defined as the patterns in the crime levels over time.
Dark figure of crime – the dark figure indicates the crime that takes place but is not reported to authorities.
KwaMashu application – crimes suggest sexual offence, assaults and other offences might not be reported because of fear, mistrust and stigma. The official statistics also underestimate the actual level of crime.
Socio economic factors – these are the factors like high unemployment and poverty that results in financial insecurity and reduced level of economic opportunities.
Poverty and poor education – poverty is the restricted access to resources while poor education limits any kind of employment prospects. Both these issues can increase young people’s vulnerability to gangs, drug networks and other criminal opportunities.
Why prevention is complex – the prevention is complex because the criminal activities cannot be completely addressed through policing because economic deprivation, education, housing and community conditions contribute to vulnerability.
Traffic crime and prevention
The common traffic plans are driving under the influence, and reckless or dangerous driving. The impact of driving under the influence can be crashes, deaths and serious injuries while reckless driving leads to threats to pedestrians, passengers and other road users. For example, if DUI statistics indicate the increase in the offences during weekends, it can be possible for the authorities to concentrate on road blocks, breath testing operations and patrols during this period.
The three prevention levels are primary whereby the crime needs to be prevented before it occurs by educating people, seconda f a t a p a n nry level at which the high risk people needs to be identified and tertiary level at which measures should be taken to reduce repeat offending and its consequences. Authorities can target weekends to control the issue of the DUI incidents. The secondary prevention suits DUI because the scenario helps in identifying specific high risk times and locations, thereby allowing limited enforcement resources to remain concentrated when DUI is likely to occur.
The murder of a Police Officer in the course of organised criminal activity. This particular scenario is a perfect fit because the suspect deliberately monitored and ambushed police officials, killing one officer and seriously injuring another. The group has targeted the police in order to weaken law enforcement and establish control. The positive motives include weakening police presence, protecting organised criminal operations, intimidating authorities and the community, and establishing territorial and organisational control.
This particular theory links crime to weakened community social controls, instability and conditions that reduce the capacity of a community to regulate behaviour.
In the given case scenario, it clearly indicates organised criminal activity, fear among residents and reduced cooperation with authorities. It is possible for the criminal groups to exploit weak community control, and targeting police officials can further weaken formal social control, which ultimately makes it difficult for the authorities and residents to resist criminal networks.
| The above model answer is reviewed by Dikeledi Elizabeth, law expert from University of South Africa, UNISA, having understanding of criminology concepts and topics. Disclaimer: This answer is a model for study and reference purposes only. Please do not submit it as your own work. |
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