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This research paper analyzes the results of the 2007 National Victimisation Survey (NVS) to examine South African public perceptions of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the court system, comparing these findings with data from 1998 and 2003.

This research paper analyzes the dynamics of the six most common crimes in South Africa—housebreaking, property theft, theft from vehicles, robbery, assault, and corruption—using data from victim surveys conducted in 1998, 2003, and 2007. Key findings indicate a trend of crimes increasingly occurring within residential areas and homes, particularly housebreakings and assaults. While weapon use in assaults has declined, it has increased in robberies. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are identified as the provinces with the highest crime levels, while the Northern Cape has the lowest. The paper highlights a high level of familiarity between victims and perpetrators and notes a permissive societal attitude toward 'minor' corruption, such as paying bribes for traffic fines.

This research paper argues that underdevelopment in Sub-Saharan Africa is driven by a structural power imbalance where political elites use state control to extract savings from the private sector—primarily peasants and multinational corporations—diverting these resources toward elite consumption and state repression rather than productive investment.

This report summarizes a seminar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies on November 14, 2008, featuring U.S. Ambassador Eric M. Bost. The discussion focused on the 2008 U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama and the potential implications for Africa, specifically addressing the tension between global expectations of a policy shift and the likelihood of a domestic-focused U.S. agenda.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of France's relations with Africa, analyzing the transition from the traditional 'Françafrique' system of personalized power and influence toward a more multilateral, transparent partnership. It evaluates the tensions between official rhetoric of rupture—such as the 'doctrine de la Baule' and President Nicolas Sarkozy's promises—and the persistence of old habits, including the support of authoritarian regimes and the reduction of development aid.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the development of Africa's private sector and the role of South African companies. It argues that sustainable development in Africa requires a flourishing private sector and emphasizes the necessity of public-private partnerships, providing recommendations for policy-makers.

This research paper by Jonny Steinberg for the Institute for Security Studies examines the 'xenophobic riots' in South Africa between 11 and 26 May 2008. Through interviews with victims, perpetrators, and local leaders, the author argues that while the violence targeted foreign nationals, it was driven by a patrimonial understanding of the economy as a finite resource and fueled by local struggles for state patronage.

This research paper examines corruption within South Africa's Metropolitan Police Departments (MPDs), highlighting a high prevalence of bribery in traffic enforcement. It compares the anti-corruption strategies of six major MPDs, noting that while some (like Johannesburg) have adopted tracking technology and hotlines, systemic issues persist. These include the use of inadequate general council disciplinary codes instead of police-specific codes, limited investigative and entrapment powers compared to the national SAPS, and a tendency for management to rationalize corruption as being driven by the public's willingness to pay bribes.

This research paper examines South Africa's domestication of the Rome Statute through the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act 27 of 2002 (ICC Act). It analyzes how the Act enables the national prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, the establishment of the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit, and the legal mechanisms for cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

A report on a 2008 seminar discussing the political split within the African National Congress (ANC) and its implications for South African democracy, featuring perspectives on leadership failures, ideological contradictions, and the socio-political state of the youth.

This report examines the role of sustainable development within the regional trade agreements (RTAs) of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), arguing that market access alone is insufficient to alleviate poverty and that a comprehensive sustainable development agenda is necessary to balance economic growth with social and environmental conservation.

This report summarizes a seminar held on 1 October 2008 at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Addis Ababa Office regarding the recall of President Thabo Mbeki by the African National Congress (ANC) and the resulting implications for South Africa and the African continent.

This report examines the integration of sustainable development into the regional and bilateral trade arrangements of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), comprising South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It analyzes the tension between trade liberalization and national development goals, the impact of the SACU Revenue Sharing Formula, and the outcomes of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The study concludes that most trade deals focus almost exclusively on market access, neglecting social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

This research paper argues that Swaziland (now Eswatini) requires urgent political and institutional reform to address severe socio-economic crises, including widespread poverty, a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, and an absolute monarchy that lacks accountability.

This 2008 briefing outlines South Africa's objectives for the 63rd UN General Assembly, emphasizing the 'African Agenda,' the mid-term review of the Millennium Development Goals, and the promotion of South-South cooperation via partnerships like IBSA. It highlights the use of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a development milestone and South Africa's push to democratize the UN by increasing the powers of the General Assembly.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the sustainability of South Africa's current account deficit and critiques proposed policy interventions. The author argues against currency devaluation and trade barriers, suggesting instead that the deficit reflects the country's ability to attract capital inflows for investment. The paper advocates for long-term competitiveness through infrastructure improvement, education, and the removal of structural barriers rather than short-term industrial subsidies.

This research paper evaluates the efforts of the South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to combat corruption, fraud, and maladministration. It highlights the role of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Departmental Investigating Unit (DIU) in recovering funds and securing convictions, while arguing that systemic failures, a lack of consistent disciplinary action, and the prevalence of 'petty corruption' continue to undermine the integrity of the prison system.

This edition of the SA Crime Quarterly examines the implementation of the Child Justice Bill, the role of probation officers, the decentralization of firearm destruction by the SAPS, and the functions of the SAPS Investigative Psychology Unit (IPU). It highlights the influence of civil society on child justice legislation and the operational challenges facing specialized police units following a 2006 reorganization.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the progress and challenges of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) during its first term (2004–2009). The author argues that the PAP is an institutionally weak body due to its premature establishment, which bypassed the gradual integration stages outlined in the 1991 Abuja Treaty. Consequently, the PAP lacks legislative, budgetary, and supervisory powers, operating only as a consultative and advisory body with limited influence over the African Union (AU) executive.

This research paper by Raymond Louw argues that a free and independent media is an indispensable component of good political governance and a cornerstone of democracy. The author criticizes the African Union's (AU) African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for omitting media freedom from its criteria for good governance, suggesting this exclusion allows authoritarian states to achieve passing ratings. Through case studies of South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda, the paper demonstrates that these countries fail to recognize the media's essential watchdog role in their APRM reports. The document also highlights the 'Declaration of Table Mountain' and the prevalence of 'insult laws' across Africa that criminalize critical reporting of public officials.