The index ranked South Africa as having the 7th-highest criminality score among 193 surveyed countries, at 7.43 out of 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa also received the second-highest criminality score in Africa and the highest out of 13 Southern African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The index cited several weaknesses in South Africa’s capacity to combat illegal activities, including its response to goods smuggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It noted that gaps in border controls contributed to the country’s struggles with counterfeit and illegal goods entering its economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The counterfeit goods market is pervasive, driven by weak border enforcement and the involvement of criminal networks operating across the Mozambique-South Africa border,” it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Seizures of counterfeit clothing, footwear, electronics and pharmaceuticals indicate the scale of the market, which has strong transnational ties”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Illicit trade in excise goods, particularly tobacco and alcohol, is significant,” the index noted, echoing the observation made by Frans Cronje Private Clients’ study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The index noted that despite government intervention efforts, such as the Border Management Authority, illicit trade remains prevalent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa’s resilience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/SAPS-saluting-e1772858080166-1024x577.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDespite having one of the highest global criminality scores, South Africa also had a respectable resilience score of 5.67 \u2013\u00a0the third highest in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The score also placed South Africa 44th among the 193 ranked countries, with the index noting its strong legal framework for combating organised crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the index praised the country’s “robust legal framework to combat organised crime”, it noted that governance issues continuously erode public trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Government transparency is a challenge despite an extensive legal framework for accountability,” it said. “Challenges such as maladministration and financial mismanagement erode public trust.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Despite governance improvements, challenges such as corruption, weak rule of law, and economic inequality hinder resilience.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also noted that the agencies responsible for combating the illicit economy face several significant pressures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service, are under significant strain due to corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ongoing Madlanga Commission has demonstrated the scale of governance issues across South Africa’s crime prevention agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inquiry has implicated several high-ranking officials in criminal operations and corruption, and was recently extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Organised Crime Index also noted financial constraints as a major limitation in South Africa’s ability to combat illicit activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Financial constraints hinder law enforcement, and a significant funding shortfall affects investigative capacity,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Prevention efforts against organised crime are underfunded and inconsistently implemented.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Index also cited Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) as a positive contributor to the country’s fight against organised crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BACSA acts as an intermediary between the public and private sectors in South Africa in crime prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDespite having one of the highest global criminality scores, South Africa also had a respectable resilience score of 5.67 \u2013\u00a0the third highest in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The score also placed South Africa 44th among the 193 ranked countries, with the index noting its strong legal framework for combating organised crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the index praised the country’s “robust legal framework to combat organised crime”, it noted that governance issues continuously erode public trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Government transparency is a challenge despite an extensive legal framework for accountability,” it said. “Challenges such as maladministration and financial mismanagement erode public trust.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Despite governance improvements, challenges such as corruption, weak rule of law, and economic inequality hinder resilience.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also noted that the agencies responsible for combating the illicit economy face several significant pressures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service, are under significant strain due to corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ongoing Madlanga Commission has demonstrated the scale of governance issues across South Africa’s crime prevention agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inquiry has implicated several high-ranking officials in criminal operations and corruption, and was recently extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Organised Crime Index also noted financial constraints as a major limitation in South Africa’s ability to combat illicit activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Financial constraints hinder law enforcement, and a significant funding shortfall affects investigative capacity,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Prevention efforts against organised crime are underfunded and inconsistently implemented.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Index also cited Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) as a positive contributor to the country’s fight against organised crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BACSA acts as an intermediary between the public and private sectors in South Africa in crime prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n