Crime and Youth Unemployment in the Cato Manor Policing Area of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Crime statistics in the Cato Manor policing area has, for the past five years (2005 to 2010), shown a constant increase in property related crime perpetrated by youth. There are many youth on the streets of Cato Manor who idle, loitering on street corners, at game shops, at shopping centres or just sit outside their residences. The objective of this study was to investigate crime and criminal behaviour patterns in the area, the social and economic conditions associated with criminal activity in order to identify the most important and prevailing factors and to assess the role of unemployment on criminal activity among youth. For the purpose of the study, participatory action research was used for the qualitative research which assisted in gaining an understanding into the life of the participant. In-depth interviews were conducted with the use of standardized in-depth interview guides. Surveys, utilizing structured questionnaires were used to obtain the quantitative data. The study found that most respondents were unemployed at the time of first arrest. However, the contributing conditions and factors to crime are not limited to unemployment. More compounding factors such as dysfunction in the family, plays a role in the trends observed. The majority of respondents were raised by single parents, respondents formed friendships with youth of similar backgrounds and 65 percent of respondents committed crime with one or more friends. The criminal lifestyle was rewarding up until time of arrest. The study concluded that there is a relationship between unemployment and crime in the Cato Manor policing area. Contributing factors of crime are not limited to unemployment. Opportunities given to offenders regarding rehabilitation are mostly taken, however, some youths’ lives are so adversely affected that they see no other life than that of crime.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2318