Mark Shaw Co-opting vigilante leaders and placating criminals might ensure peace in the short term, but undermines confidence in the criminal justice system. The KwaZulu-Natal Policing Task Team and civilian secretariat for safety and security present hope for policing in this province. The Investigation Task Unit is unique and will unfortunately probably be the only one of its kind in South Africa. This account of the Project's work provides invaluable lessons for similar projects and shows that community policing does reduce crime. In rural areas especially, witchcraft accusations are part of people's struggle for survival.
Official recognition is needed to deal with the problem.
More than half those currently imprisoned will offend again. This article questions stereotypes about repeat offenders and their crimes. South Africa is already one of the most punitive societies, and there is currently a shortage of prisons. It seems perplexing that with current crime rates and South Africa still tipping the 'most murderous country in the world' scales, politicians have yet to present a coherent, united stand on key issues - let alone dispel the notion that the crime football is being locked about in expedient political directions. These are both issues which have been discussed at length.