Theses and Dissertations
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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Mulaudzi, A. N."
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Item Embargo The Criminological Evaluation of Cybercrimes Within Higher Learning Institutions. A Case Study of University of Venda: Limpopo Province(2025-09-05) Maringa, Matimu; Mulaudzi, A. N.; Tshidada, T. C.This study evaluated the nature and extent of cybercrimes prevalent within higher learning institutions of South Africa. Cyber-attacks are growing at a distressing rate and has posed a serious challenge within academia by impacting and disrupting normal learning setting. Universities data infrastructure is vulnerable to criminals, can be compromised easily while students and staff are not alien to proportion of cybercrime impact inclusive of hacking, financial loss, bullying, illegal circulation of pornography, blackmailing’s, extortion and many other crimes. This case study evaluated cybercrimes at the University of Venda (Univen). It therefore, evaluated if Univen have institutional framework for managing cybercrimes and cybersecurity risk, also assess if it has been efficient to counteract cybercrimes impact against the university and students. Mixed method approach applied, where snowballing sample procedure was utilised to quantitatively sample Univen students, and purposive sampling was applied to sample Univen Information Communication Technology officials. The researcher utilised the routine activities theory and differential association theory of crime as the study problem framework. Sample was selected based on their suitability of contributing towards research; Focus group discussions, questionnaires and voice recorder were used to collect data. Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), was used to analyse qualitative data and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 for quantitative data analysis. The study made findings and recommendations that could be used to inform adoption of framework to manage cybercrimes within higher education institutions (HEI) of South Africa and to find alternatives programmes that will positively address cyber incidents within academia.Item Embargo The Use of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in Preventing Crime in Musina and Thohoyandou Central Business Districts(2026-05-19) Muvhango, Khathutshelo Moses; Olofinbiyi, S. A.; Mulaudzi, A. N.This study investigated the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) as a proactive strategy for preventing crime in the urban environments of Musina and Thohoyandou. The research was prompted by increasing levels of criminal activity in both towns, particularly in their Central Business Districts (CBDs), and the apparent failure of traditional policing strategies to address the spatial conditions that allowed such crimes to occur. Drawing upon relevant theoretical models, the study adopted a qualitative research approach grounded in the interpretivist paradigm, employing semi-structured in-depth interviews with municipal officials, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), neighbourhood watch participants, and ordinary community members. Data collected from the field revealed that CPTED principles, specifically, natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, access control, and maintenance had only been partially applied in the two towns. Where implemented, these strategies contributed to improved perceptions of safety and a reduction in petty crime, particularly in commercial zones. However, the study also found that CPTED interventions were inconsistently applied, often limited in scale, and inadequately maintained. In many areas, poor lighting, overgrown vegetation, and neglected infrastructure created conditions conducive to criminal behaviour. The lack of coordination between stakeholders, insufficient funding, and weak community participation further constrained the long-term success of CPTED initiatives. Participants in both Musina and Thohoyandou expressed concerns over the uneven distribution of safety resources, noting that peripheral areas and informal settlements remained excluded from urban design improvements. This study confirmed that the success of CPTED was closely tied to community involvement, yet many residents were not actively engaged in decision-making processes or urban safety programmes. The study concludes that while CPTED has the potential to reduce crime and enhance the quality of urban life, its success depends on proper integration into municipal planning, consistent infrastructure maintenance, inter-agency collaboration, and meaningful community participation. It recommends the institutionalisation of CPTED within local policy, the expansion of public awareness, and formal training of urban planners and safety personnel for better results on crime prevention strategies.