Theses and Dissertations

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Open Access
A Criminological Inquiry into Bad Policing and Student Violent Protest: Insight from the University of Venda
(2024-09-06) Nemurangoni, Gundo Chadley; Olofinbiyi, Sogo Angel
Understanding student violent protests poses a significant challenge. Central to this concern is the perplexing question: "Why do students persist in resorting to violence during protests, risking arrest, injury, or even death?" Despite advancements in comprehending the evolutionary and proximate mechanisms underlying protests, there remains a notable scarcity of insight into the factors precipitating violence during such actions. One often-overlooked factor is ‘bad policing’ during protest events, which can serve as a catalyst for violence. The right to protest is a dynamic avenue for individuals to voice their concerns on pressing issues and ensure that decision-makers heed their grievances. Section 17 of the Constitution of South Africa (1996) enshrines the legal right of all individuals to engage in peaceful and unarmed protests, encompassing non-violent demonstrations that may not be regarded as highly disruptive. The research examined the relationship between poor policing practices and student violent protests at the University of Venda. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, data collection involved administering 200 questionnaires to UNIVEN students through a simple random sampling. Complementarily, SAPS POP officers from the Thohoyandou precinct were purposively selected for participation. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted across four police stations, each comprising five members, including Thohoyandou, Mutale, Levubu, and Vuwani police stations, totaling 20 police officers for the qualitative aspect of the study. Quantitative data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24 (SPSS), while qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis. The study fosters a balanced and just environment between police officers and protesters, thereby promoting a more stable, peaceful, and orderly university community. Key findings indicate significant relationships between police response attitudes and student violent protests, as well as between bad policing practices and such protests. Moreover, student attitudes toward police intervention during protests, the impact of student violent protests on the university's operational plans, and students' academic progress were also explored with more effective recommendations for improvement.
Embargo
An Assessment of the Influence of Youth Unemployment on Crime Rates in Chavani Village, Limpopo, South Africa
(2025-09-05) Nyalungu, Mixo Penelope; Mulaudzi, A.; Sithuga, N. P.
Youth unemployment and crime are two major rallying themes across South Africa’s socio-political landscape. This study was conducted due to the concern of a rapid increase of unemployment and crime. Most graduates find themselves in a situation where they are unable to secure employment and this further result into emotional and mental breakdown. The study aims to assess the influence of youth unemployment on crime rates in Chavani village, Limpopo province, South Africa. The study adopted a mixed research methods approach. A purposive sampling and cluster sampling was used to select participants. The researcher used semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It is envisaged that findings of this study may be used in the design and implementation of strategies and programmes to reduce youth unemployment and crime in South Africa. Further, the researcher makes some recommendations pertaining to addressing and reducing the high rate of youth unemployment and crime.
Open Access
An evaluation of local government involvement in crime prevention: insight from Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2024-09-06) Madima, Khethiwe; Olofinbiyi, S. A.; Rakubu, K. A.
Crime prevention has been recognised as one of the key national priorities in South Africa since the establishment of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) in 1996. It is viewed to be the responsibility and duty of the South African Police Service (SAPS); however, with a range of crimes caused by different factors, it is impossible to rely exclusively on the police to prevent crime. Thus, various stakeholders such as businesses, communities, Non-Government Organisations, civil society, law enforcement and Municipalities need to take a stand in maintaining peace and ensuring safety for law-abiding citizens within their municipal boundaries. Using a mixed-method research approach, a purposive sampling was used to select 4 municipal safety officials, 5 SAPS social crime prevention members and 1 member from Department of Transport and Community Safety. A simple random technique was used to collect data from the selected 338 community members from all local Municipalities in the Mopani District. Quantitative data were collected through cross-sectional survey and analysed by descriptive and inferential analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Content Analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the municipality is partially active in crime prevention. The study identified lack of resources, informal settlement, lack of coordination, by-laws compliance, accountability, political inference, lack of knowledge and expertise as the challenges that hinders the effectiveness of municipalities in crime prevention. The results further reveal lack of cooperation between SAPS and municipalities in crime prevention. This study recommends stakeholders’ engagement, public awareness, accountability, establishment of crime prevention body, CPTED, regular assessment and professionalisation of the crime prevention space as the intervention strategies that can advance the involvement of municipalities in crime prevention.
Open Access
The application of command responsibility in informal civilian relationships: for international crimes-lessons from the ICTR
(2017-09-18) Mhuru, Tapiwa Agripa; Lansik, A.; Jegede, A. A.
Since the birth of international criminal justice, the imposition of individual criminal responsibility has been expanded as evidenced by the instruments establishing the institutional mechanisms, at least, from Nuremberg to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The prescriptions of the imposition of criminal responsibility in international criminal law take cognizance of the fact that both top civilian and military personnel commit heinous crimes. However, until the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR), such prescriptions covering individuals who find themselves within informal civilian relationships had not earned much focus, be it at the identification of responsible individuals to their prosecution and conviction. Events in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide that led to the establishment of the ICTR revealed the involvement of this category of individuals. While their involvement took diverse forms, at different times, only some of them were identified and successfully prosecuted and convicted for the offences over which the ICTR has jurisdiction. This category of individuals (those falling under the rubric of informal civilian relationships) has not been addressed by scholarship on international crimes. This dissertation identifies such individuals, examines the allegations against them, the factual findings of the different Trial Chambers and develops a set of rules as well as lessons to be learnt from the trial and appellate proceedings
Open Access
A comparative study and analysis of substance abuse among grade 11 and 12 learners in selected secondary schools in Thohoyandou Area
(2010-04) Magadze, Tshimangadzo Oscar; Roelofse, C. J.; Nengome, N. R.
Open Access
Evaluation of Public Order Policing Strategies during Violent Service Delivery Protests: A case of Vuwani in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province
(2019-05-18) Madima, Khethiwe; Mothibi, K. A.
The policing response to increasing violent community violent protests in South Africa has received global attention in the last decade. The study was conducted with a backdrop of increased concern over skirmish and sporadic fighting and violence during service delivery protests. Criticisms have been voiced by various role-players in violent protests concerning arrests, injuries and killing of civilians by police during these demonstrations. Hence the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of POP strategies in curbing common acts of violence during violent protests particularly in Vuwani area of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. The study adopted a mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative method). Purposive sampling was used to select POP officials wherein Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted in 9 difference POP units, each FGD was comprised of approximately 5 members which total to 45 POP members. A total of 200 questionnaires were randomly distributed to community members of Vuwani within 5 were found invalid. Quantitative Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that (86,2%) of participants believed that Vuwani protest was caused by municipal demarcation issues. The favourite methods of protests include littering with (80,0 %) and burning tyres with (76,4%) of participants. A total of (52,8%) community members argued that police presence perpetuate violence during service delivery protest. Common crimes that occurred during the protests was vandalism with (82,6%) and arson with (81,0%). Furthermore, (83,6%) community members agrees that rubber bullets was used as a strategy by the police at Vuwani protests. The overwhelming majority of participants with 80,0% believe that negotiation during protests can curb death and injuries. On the other hand, the study finds that POP official strategies start by negotiating with the protestors, identifying the leader, use of water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets as the last resort. Further emphasized that lack of manpower and resources are barriers that hinders effective policing of violent service delivery protests. It is therefore recommended that provision of resource and recruitment of manpower should be taken as a first priority by the SAPS national office. Lastly, the public should be educated about police presence during violent service delivery protests.
Open Access
"An examination of the legal mechanisms for the protection of minors against domestic violence in South Africa and Zimbabwe"
(2016-04-07) Mundondo, Joseph Zanorashe; Vukor-Quarshie, G. N. K.; Cornelius Hagenmeier
Open Access
The right to basic education for refugee children in South Africa and Zimbabwe : challenges and palliatives
(2016-02-01) Mufakose, Tapiwa Elisha Moses; Hagenmeier, C. C. A.; Letuka, P. P.; Vukor-Quarshie, G. N. K.
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.
Open Access
A victimological study of sexual assault of male inmates in the Thohoyandou Correctional Centre
(2017-09-18) Goliada, Ndivhuwo Victor; Potgieter, P. J.; Manganyi, F. M.
See the attached abstract below

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