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This report by Robert Mattes of the University of Cape Town uses Afrobarometer survey data from 18 African countries to compare experiences of crime and policing in South Africa with other nations on the continent. The analysis finds that while South Africa has high levels of insecurity and crime exposure, it is not exceptional in the African context. Furthermore, despite having superior physical and human capital, the South African Police Service (SAPS) often lags behind other African police forces in terms of public trust, legitimacy, and community relations.

This report analyzes the historical evolution and governance of the military in Lesotho, tracing its transition from a destabilizing force under authoritarian rule to a professionalized body under civilian control following the 1993 democratic transition. It examines the legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and regional security dynamics that shape the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

This executive summary introduces a volume titled 'Society Under Siege: Crime, Violence and Illegal Weapons,' which examines the intersection of transnational organized crime, the proliferation of light weapons, and intra-state conflict, with a specific focus on Africa and Southern Africa.

This concluding chapter of 'Invisible Stakeholders' argues that children and youth in Africa are not merely victims of conflict but active agents of change and transformation. The author contends that viewing them solely as victims obscures the dynamics of conflict and ignores how young people make choices that impact the trajectories of war. The text examines the socio-economic and political drivers of youth mobilization, the failure of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) processes, and the influence of global economic structures on African stability.

A country fact sheet providing basic demographic, political, and economic data for Zambia, including its legal system, governance structure, and natural resources.

This report chapter examines the incidence and nature of crime in Zambia, focusing on the challenges of data collection, high levels of perceived corruption, drug and human trafficking, and the complexities of illegal migration. It highlights a systemic failure in the criminal justice system, where reporting and conviction rates vary significantly by province, and identifies corruption as a pervasive issue across public institutions, particularly within the police service.

This report summarizes a 2004 workshop in Accra, Ghana, focused on identifying lessons from Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) experiences in Africa. It analyzes the evolution of UN-led DDR programmes, highlighting the shift from vague mandates to specific, targeted interventions. The document emphasizes that while disarmament and demobilization are often measured quantitatively, the qualitative aspect of reintegration remains the most challenging phase. It argues for a holistic approach that links DDR with national recovery, security sector reform, and human rights, while warning against the tendency of DDR to be exploited as a money-making venture by combatants and commanders.

This report, based on a 2004 workshop in Accra, Ghana, analyzes the evolution of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs in Africa. It examines the transition of DDR from vague mandates in the late 1990s to highly specific programs by 2004, highlighting the role of UN peacekeeping missions and the critical need for integrated planning, qualitative indicators for reintegration, and coordination with national recovery strategies.

This monograph, edited by Hussein Solomon and published by the Institute for Security Studies in May 1997, examines the evolution, principles, and challenges of South African foreign policy following the transition to democracy in 1994. It analyzes the tension between the government's declared commitment to human rights and democracy and its pragmatic bilateral relations with states such as Cuba, Libya, and the People's Republic of China. The text explores South Africa's role as a regional hegemon in Southern Africa, its engagement with the African continent, and the theoretical debate over whether it should pursue 'middle power' or 'co-operative' leadership.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system in Zambia, examining the interplay between statutory and customary law, the capacity of law enforcement and judicial institutions, and the challenges of prison administration. It highlights systemic issues including widespread corruption, severe prison overcrowding, and significant gaps in the delivery of justice to the poor and juveniles.

This monograph captures the proceedings of a seminar held in Pretoria on 18-19 April 2000, titled "Security in Africa: French and South African Perspectives." The document explores the intersection of national identity, human security, governance, and economic development, with a specific focus on the evolving roles of France and South Africa in African security. It analyzes various conflict zones, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, and West Africa, while evaluating the effectiveness of regional and international intervention frameworks such as the UN, OAU, SADC, and ECOWAS.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the effectiveness of South African border control mechanisms in preventing the illegal smuggling of firearms. Through case studies in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape, and surveys of 52 land border posts, the research identifies systemic failures including severe understaffing, lack of basic infrastructure, and corruption. While the South African Police Service (SAPS) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are the primary actors, the report finds that the permeability of the borders remains excessive, with illegal firearms and other contraband moving across the borderline frequently outside of official ports of entry.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the socio-economic challenges facing demobilised military personnel in South Africa, specifically those from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It combines a survey of former combatants with comparative case studies from Uganda, Cambodia, Nicaragua, and El Salvador to argue that successful reintegration depends on long-term economic stability and marketable skills rather than short-term cash gratuities. The document highlights a pattern of unemployment and social instability among South African veterans and provides recommendations for a future 'rationalisation' process to avoid repeating past failures.

This monograph by Afua Twum-Danso examines the phenomenon of child soldiering in Africa, challenging the notion that it is a product of African culture. Instead, the author argues that the recruitment and deployment of children are driven by socio-economic instability, political agendas, and pragmatic military strategies. The report provides a comprehensive overview of recruitment methods, the roles children play in conflicts, and the long-term physical and psychological consequences of their participation, with a specific focus on the often-overlooked experiences of girl soldiers.

This policy brief examines the expansion of marine fisheries eco-labelling in Southern and Eastern Africa, focusing on the roles of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friends of the Sea (FOS). It analyzes the environmental and commercial incentives for certification, the challenges of including small-scale fisheries, and the necessity of state support and independent impact studies to ensure sustainable fisheries management.

This report, produced by the Institute for Security Studies in collaboration with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), provides a comprehensive review of organised criminal activities in 12 southern African countries. It identifies a strong nexus between organised crime and corruption, noting that the region's porous borders and economic disparities facilitate the transnational movement of drugs, stolen vehicles, counterfeit goods, and endangered species. The report emphasizes that while some crimes are local, the most serious activities are transnational and often underpinned by systemic corruption within law enforcement and government institutions.

This research paper examines the evolution of civil-military relations in Botswana, focusing on how the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has navigated the tension between operational secrecy, military spending, and the need for public trust within a democratic framework. It details the BDF's transition from a force struggling with legitimacy during South African cross-border raids to one seeking public acceptance through humanitarian missions and domestic support roles.

This research paper provides a historical analysis of civil-military relations in Malawi, tracing the evolution of the state's security apparatus from the pre-colonial Maravi Kingdom through British colonial rule and the one-party state under Hastings Kamuzu Banda to the current multi-party system. It examines the role of the Malawi Army and the Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) as instruments of both state security and political control, highlighting the transition toward professional civilian oversight and international peacekeeping roles after 1994.

This research paper by James Ngculu examines the history of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), and its role in establishing a tradition of democratic civil-military relations in South Africa. The author argues that MK's foundational commitment to political subordination and accountability to civilian leadership provided a blueprint for the integration of forces and the creation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after 1994.

This research paper analyzes the South African Defence Review process (1996–1998) and the 1995 Defence White Paper, arguing that while the process was historically inclusive and democratic, the resulting force design relied too heavily on traditional Western concepts of 'primary function' (territorial sovereignty) at the expense of more frequent 'secondary functions' (internal stability and regional support).