The ordeal of police victimization in the Mthatha Policing Cluster, Eastern Cape

Enoch Zenzile and Afika F. Magadla
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Enoch Zenzile: Dept. of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Afika F. Magadla: Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences & Law, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Drive, Mthatha, South Africa

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 2023, vol. 12, issue 1, 267-274

Abstract: In South Africa, members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) are constitutionally mandated to protect society. However, while executing their duties, they continuously experience an alarmingly high rate of attacks from alleged criminals, often leading to the death of SAPS members. Subsequently, this situation increases the staff shortage for patrolling the streets and arresting criminals. The situation's aftermath also leads to increasing community perceptions that crime is out of hand and that crime prevention strategies are ineffective. This study examined the ordeal of police victimization in the Mthatha Policing Cluster, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A questionnaire was used for data collection from 105 respondents. The non-probability sampling method was used and the study employed the snowball sampling technique. Results reveal that victimization of law enforcement officers is a reality. The research questions that guided this study included: What are the upheld views by police officers of their victimization? Which factors make police to be susceptible to victimization while executing their duties? What is the impact of police victimization on policing society at large? Altogether, 80.8% of respondents revealed that police are being robbed and assaulted, and in some instances, the use of the K*** word is evident. SAPS members are not fulfilling their mandate because they fear being killed while executing their duties. In the study, new strategies are highly recommended for curbing crime, and police need to be empowered with new, modern techniques of policing. Key Words:Crime prevention,, victimization,, police officers, predictor of victimization, police killing, victims

Date: 2023
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