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The role of social media in combating organised crime in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Mabasa

    (South African Police Service)

  • Adewale Olutola

    (Tshwane University of Technology)

  • Jacob Mofokeng

    (Tshwane University of Technology)

Abstract

Social media is considered a double-edged sword, with both positive and negative effects. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore the extent to which and the ways in which South African police use social media in the study area. The findings were collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 participants comprising the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials in the Giyani Cluster policing area. The findings indicate that criminals in the Limpopo Province use social media to commit crimes in the country, other countries in Africa, and elsewhere. The findings also indicate that social media is used to bring positive attention to law enforcement agencies and aid in criminal investigations. Although the positive impact of social media was highlighted in these experiences, persistent problems and challenges also featured in the data. Finally, officer insights were drawn upon to make recommendations for future policing policy and research. This paper concludes that social media as a tool can be utilised in terms of data gathering, prediction and spotting broader patterns, for combating organised crime by the SAPS. Key Words:Communication; Intelligence; Investigation; Organised crime; Social media

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Mabasa & Adewale Olutola & Jacob Mofokeng, 2022. "The role of social media in combating organised crime in the Limpopo Province, South Africa," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 11(1), pages 252-262, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:11:y:2022:i:1:p:252-262
    DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v11i1.1553
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