By Sonica Naudé-Steyn
A recent study conducted by UKZN PhD graduate, Dr Lennox Luzipo’s has revealed that the organised nature of vehicle theft is not new however that the methods are evolving.
As part of his PhD, Dr Luzipo, 62, from Chesterville in Durban conducted thorough interviews with 10 incarcerated offenders from six different KwaZulu-Natal Correctional Services centres in Kokstad, eManpangeni, Westville Prison and Pietermaritzburg.
The study is titled, “Organised Nature of Modus Operandi on Motor Vehicle Robberies and Thefts in Berea, Durban,” and amongst the findings was that offenders do not rely on a single method when conducting vehicle theft. The research has revealed that the approach changes depending on the victim and the nationality of the target.
“In simple terms, the organised nature refers to how sophisticated, co-ordinated, and advanced these crimes have become rather than being spontaneous. This involves a complex interplay of methods including the use of illicit driving techniques, technological tools, advanced surveillance, and the tactical exploitation of vulnerabilities,” explained Luzipo.
He said it was imperative to conduct the research amongst the actual perpetrators. He says some of the tactics include stalking and opportunistic situations in everyday traffic. The research also indicated that the approach to foreign nationals shifts dramatically and includes the use of fake police vehicles, psychological warfare and threats.
This he says challenges conventional thinking, noting that all crimes are not purely opportunistic but reflect deliberate planning, where offenders “rationally plan to minimise resistance and maximise control over high-value targets.”
The research also revealed that increased vehicle security such as alarms and immobilisers, have decreased basic theft, however it has also caused a rise in violent crimes and the use of technology such as reprogrammed key fobs. The study showed how offenders continue to evolve.
“These advanced strategies are not improvised; they are learned behaviours transmitted within criminal networks that thrive in areas with weak social controls,” said Luzipo.
Some of the more concerning finding is the organised tactics used by criminals to infiltrate authority structures and police to gain access to sensitive information.
“This allows offenders to control the very entity meant to stop them.” He says that offenders however do not live without fear of consequences and exhibit sign of anxiety concerning uncorrupted elements within authoritative structures.
Luzipo recommends stronger collaboration between police and communities, public awareness campaigns, enhanced law enforcement training and the use of technology to improve vehicle security.
“By addressing the root causes of these crimes and fostering a collaborative approach among all stakeholders, it is possible to enhance public safety and contribute to a broader understanding of organised crime dynamics in South Africa.”
- UKZN PhD graduate, Dr Lennox Luzipo.
