The purpose of this study was to explore the community members’ perceptions on the nature of rape in the selected Mankweng policing areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa, namely: Mentz, Ga-Makanye and Ga-Thoka. The qualitative research approach was followed, coupled with the Q-methodology research design and exploratory research objective. About 30 participants were purposively sampled to form part of the Three (03) Focus Groups Discussions (FGDs), consisting of 10 targeted groups, this was aided by the review of seminal literature studies and theoretical [Differential Risk Model] applications on this subject. The inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was used as a data analysis method. From the consulted studies and empirical study findings, 03 major factors emerged to explain nature of rape existing in the selected study locations, demarcated as follows; 1) Historical context of rape, which include men that are raised in families with strong patriarchal structures and more likely to become violent and force themselves on women, as they feel superior to them, 2) Social context of rape, entailing gender inequality in South African societies where women possess limited powers and authorities, while men impose notions of masculinity, controlling and perceiving that they own women’s sexuality; and 3) Economic context of rape, explaining how poverty and unemployment are cited as some of contributing factors exposing women to socio-economic vulnerability, such as engaging in transactional sex. From the cited studies, 03 study themes emanated from the conducted empirical fieldworks (FGDs), namely: 1) Unlawful high prevalence of rape activities, 2) Rape committed against the will of potential victims, and 3) Rape involving physical intercourse or other forms of sexual penetrations carried out against any potential victim’s will. This study recommends that youth in the selected study locations should be trained and educated to become peer educators to learn more about the nature rape, it is hoped that this can enhance understanding of this phenomenon in their respective communities, while promoting gender equality in an attempt to urgently re-address the 03 existing characteristics of this scourge. Equally, the utilisation of biological evidence against rape cases can be touted as one of modern interventions to offer proper and successful investigation of this crime. This can be enhanced by improving by information exchange gathered through closer collaborations, interactions, intelligence and enforcement practices, while providing better understanding of the nature and extent of this scourge.

Crime is explained as an activity that is among the most difficult of the many challenges facing the South African Criminal Justice System (CJS) in the post-apartheid era. This study offer systematic review on the evolutions of Community Policing Forums (CPFs), as a supplementary tool of crime prevention, while adopting the qualitative research approach, supported by the non-empirical research design: Systematic review, focusing on available reports on this subject, confined to South Africa, and other Two (02) international countries, namely: Namibia and Tanzania, both used as case studies, demarcated from 1994-2021 (Not in sequence). The descriptive and interpretative Textual Content Analysis (TCA) were employed for data analysis to offer supports to the presented discussions. This study found that the existing South African policies, regulations and legislative frameworks, are in place to assist in dealing with the establishment and implementation of ‘community policing and CPFs’ as philosophies to promote collaborations and effective relationships between the local South African Police Service (SAPS) and community members. This is done as a supplement for crime prevention initiatives as supported by the United Nations (UN) and adhere to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa objectives, under Section 205(3). Negatively, the idea of enhancing community safety through interaction between SAPS and CPFs to accomplish crime prevention is currently regarded legitimate mechanism that is not applicable in South Africa only, but to other countries, such as Namibia and Tanzania in this regard. For recommendations, in South Africa, the evolution of CPFs in collaboration with the local SAPS to achieve crime prevention can play pivotal roles in fighting various crimes and also act as deterrent to crimes causation within South African communities, thus, the establishment and implementations should be based on the confinement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and SAPS Act (No. 68 of 1995) requirements, as noticed in countries, such as Namibia and Tanzania policing systems.

The Dan Village in Tzaneen, South African, just like other areas in South Africa is confronted with various heinous crimes, mostly perpetrated by the local gangs. Citizens are often robbed of their valuable belongings, terrorised and some killed in the process, this normally occurs in the early mornings and during the night when to-and-from work. Therefore, the objective of this study was to offer the nexus South African Police Service (SAPS) and Community Policing Forums (CPFs) in dismantling the ‘Boko Haram’ Gang in the identified study location. This qualitative study, was supported by exploratory research objective to purposively select Ten (10) participants and review suitable documentary studies on this subject. The key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were employed for data collections. The inductive Textual Content Analysis (TCA) was used to identify study themes and associated challenges during the data analysis process. This study established that the CPFs and SAPS members, including Dan Village native resident at large were concerned about ‘Boko Haram’ gang, this resulted in initiating crime-fighting patterns against this dangerous gang. The results further showed that since various crimes happened unexpectedly and affects them differently; the effective collaboration between the local SAPS and CPFs should be regarded as legitimate structures to play critical roles to dismantle the Boko Haram gang. This is expected to yield positive outcome for the control and prevention of criminal activities by the local gang.

The objective of this study was to explore existing insights on the use of Community Policing Forums (CPFs) for crime prevention, focusing on the Brooklyn police station in South Africa. With the adoption of the phenomenological research design and the qualitative research approach, about Ten (10) participants were selected purposively at the Brooklyn police station, various data collection methods, such as the documentary sources and unstructured face-to-face interviews, aided with the application of direct observation technique was employed. The inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA) was employed for data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the larger part of Brooklyn police station’s officials portrays a professional image despite this demanding career. However, participation on the ground level based on crime prevention actions is not always viable. By utilising the consulted studies and empirical data, three (03) recommendations for policy intervention are made. Firstly, respective communities should urgently avoid paying for the crime prevention private services to provide detailed crime information to the local SAPS. Secondly, the local ‘Private Security Companies’ should collaborate with the CPFs and SAPS to aid the failing crime prevention responsibilities, while working on the restoration of SAPS’s trust by the local community members. Thirdly, the SAPS management should consider persuasive strategies such as frequent education and training of community members and their officials [Undergoing refresher courses], relating to community safety initiatives and implementations of legislative frameworks and policies.