Police Perceptions of the Use and Effectiveness of Technology in Combatting Carjacking Within the Tshwane Metropolitan Policing Precinct

Rescar Nyiko Chauke; Hendrick Puleng Motlalekgosi; Kholofelo Annah Rakubu

doi:10.47814/ijssrr.v6i12.1745

Rescar Nyiko Chauke Department of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0369-8059
Hendrick Puleng Motlalekgosi Department of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Kholofelo Annah Rakubu Department of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3780-3141

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v6i12.1745

Keywords: Carjacking; Technology; Tshwane Metropolitan; Crime

Abstract

Increased carjacking in South Africa is a cause for concern, especially in metropolitan areas such as Tshwane. This article explores police perceptions of the use and effectiveness of technology in combatting carjacking within the Tshwane Metropolitan policing precinct. The objectives were to identify innovative technological systems and devices that are currently utilised by the police, and to determine their effectiveness. A qualitative research method was employed in this study and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Participants were sourced from various police stations across the Tshwane Metropolitan policing precinct, including Soshanguve, Atteridgeville, Pretoria West, Silverton, and the forensics department. A non-probability sampling procedure was followed and participants were purposively selected. The study found that different types of technological devices are used by the police, with an improvement based on the introduction of the commonly used application WhatsApp. The effectiveness of technological devices does not seem to militate against the ever-improving technology used by carjackers. Recommendations for practical application are made based on the findings of this study.

Author Biographies

Rescar Nyiko Chauke, Department of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Rescar Nyiko Chauke is a Tshwane Metropolitan Police Officer employed by the City of Tshwane, the Capital city of South Africa. He is also a teaching assistant in the College of Law at the University of South Africa. He holds a Master's Degree in Policing, which he acquired from Tshwane University of Technology. He is currently a Doctoral Degree candidate in policing with the same institution. His academic interests cut across the field of policing, criminology and criminal justice. He has published numerous articles in the field of Criminal Justice System

Kholofelo Annah Rakubu, Department of Safety & Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Kholofelo Rakubu, PhD, is an Associate Professor and head in the Department of Safety and Security Management, Faculty of Humanities Research Ethics Chair at the Tshwane University of Technology, and Criminology Society of Africa’s council member. Prof Rakubu earned her PhD from the University of Limpopo and is a former vice-dean in the school of law at the University of Venda.

Her research focuses on safety policy analysis, municipal safety, organised crime, identification of developmental and societal risk factors for criminal behavior and prolific offending, experimental field research, and evidence-based policing and crime prevention strategies. She has published book chapters, and multiple peer-reviewed articles.

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