1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 2
1.1 DEFINING ORGANIZED CRIME ............................................................................ 3
1.2 INCIDENCE OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA ................................................ 3
2. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANIZED CRIME ............................................ 5
2.1 ORGANISATIONAL CONTINUITY .............................................................................. 5
2.2 HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE .................................................................................. 6
2.3 RESTRICTED MEMBERSHIP .................................................................................... 7
2.4 CRIMINALITY, VIOLENCE AND POWER ..................................................................... 8
2.5 LEGITIMATE BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT ..................................................................... 9
2.6 USE OF SPECIALISTS ............................................................................................ 9
3. THE CATEGORIES OF ORGANISED CRIME (AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR) .. 9
3.1 PROVISION OF ILLICIT SERVICES .......................................................................... 10
3.2 PROVISION OF ILLICIT GOODS .............................................................................. 10
3.3 PENETRATION OF LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES .......................................................... 11
3.4 EXTORTION ....................................................................................................... 11
3.5 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT CRIME .......................................................................... 11
3.6 CORRUPTION..................................................................................................... 11
4. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 12
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...................................................................................................... 13
1
, 1. Introduction
Organised crime is known to be a global occurrence, and although there is no clear
global consensus on a definition for an organised criminal organisation, the
interactions between several criminal entities leading to transnational criminal
activities is sufficient for law enforcement agencies across countries and continents to
seek to work together in combating these.
Organised crime is considered an important policy issue, which accounts for why there
are significant financial and human resources availed to combating it (University of
South Africa, 2017). There are considerable risks and challenges which emanate from
organised crime, having implication on social, political, and economic welfare for
countries and regions. Organised crime enjoys coverage in print and electronic media.
In addition, Hollywood blockbusters such The Godfather trilogy, the Godfather of
Harlem drama series, and other such movies as Donny Brasco, demonstrate the wide
following that organised crime has within popular literature and entertainment,
sparking curiosity and public interest from an advocacy and intervention point of view.
Many of these dramatizations however do not give an entirely accurate portrayal of
organised crime, often being based on the Italian (Cosa Nostra) and American (La
Cosa Nostra) mafia (University of South Africa, 2017), with the occasional works
reflecting on the Japanese (Yakuza), Chinese (Triads), and Russian mafia. As with
most made for entertainment works, these productions often include misleading and
fragmented content to add sensational appeal.
While having stated that organised crime is not easily or unanimously defined in the
same manner across regions and countries, it is important to establish a framework of
reference for the purpose of this paper, borrowing from some of the definitions
provided through various actors. The cost of organised crime to society, locally and
globally, warrants some working definition, so as to be able to address organised
criminal activities, noting that the total cost beyond the loss of life and property to
include costs in relation to law enforcement measures to eliminate syndicates Reid
(1997:357).
2
1.1 DEFINING ORGANIZED CRIME ............................................................................ 3
1.2 INCIDENCE OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA ................................................ 3
2. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANIZED CRIME ............................................ 5
2.1 ORGANISATIONAL CONTINUITY .............................................................................. 5
2.2 HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE .................................................................................. 6
2.3 RESTRICTED MEMBERSHIP .................................................................................... 7
2.4 CRIMINALITY, VIOLENCE AND POWER ..................................................................... 8
2.5 LEGITIMATE BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT ..................................................................... 9
2.6 USE OF SPECIALISTS ............................................................................................ 9
3. THE CATEGORIES OF ORGANISED CRIME (AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR) .. 9
3.1 PROVISION OF ILLICIT SERVICES .......................................................................... 10
3.2 PROVISION OF ILLICIT GOODS .............................................................................. 10
3.3 PENETRATION OF LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES .......................................................... 11
3.4 EXTORTION ....................................................................................................... 11
3.5 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT CRIME .......................................................................... 11
3.6 CORRUPTION..................................................................................................... 11
4. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 12
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...................................................................................................... 13
1
, 1. Introduction
Organised crime is known to be a global occurrence, and although there is no clear
global consensus on a definition for an organised criminal organisation, the
interactions between several criminal entities leading to transnational criminal
activities is sufficient for law enforcement agencies across countries and continents to
seek to work together in combating these.
Organised crime is considered an important policy issue, which accounts for why there
are significant financial and human resources availed to combating it (University of
South Africa, 2017). There are considerable risks and challenges which emanate from
organised crime, having implication on social, political, and economic welfare for
countries and regions. Organised crime enjoys coverage in print and electronic media.
In addition, Hollywood blockbusters such The Godfather trilogy, the Godfather of
Harlem drama series, and other such movies as Donny Brasco, demonstrate the wide
following that organised crime has within popular literature and entertainment,
sparking curiosity and public interest from an advocacy and intervention point of view.
Many of these dramatizations however do not give an entirely accurate portrayal of
organised crime, often being based on the Italian (Cosa Nostra) and American (La
Cosa Nostra) mafia (University of South Africa, 2017), with the occasional works
reflecting on the Japanese (Yakuza), Chinese (Triads), and Russian mafia. As with
most made for entertainment works, these productions often include misleading and
fragmented content to add sensational appeal.
While having stated that organised crime is not easily or unanimously defined in the
same manner across regions and countries, it is important to establish a framework of
reference for the purpose of this paper, borrowing from some of the definitions
provided through various actors. The cost of organised crime to society, locally and
globally, warrants some working definition, so as to be able to address organised
criminal activities, noting that the total cost beyond the loss of life and property to
include costs in relation to law enforcement measures to eliminate syndicates Reid
(1997:357).
2
