OpenUCT :: Browsing by Author "Kinnes, Irvin"

Browsing by Author "Kinnes, Irvin"

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Open Access
A reappraisal of the roles and relationships of neighbourhood watches: an investigation of selected neighbourhood watches in the Athlone and Annenberg areas in Cape Town
(2024) Davis, Brandon; Kinnes, Irvin; Mguzulwa, Sisanda
The Neighbourhood Watch (NW) is a pervasive phenomenon that has gained footholds in many countries around the world. South Africa is no exception and, in the case of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province, they have proven to be a popular choice among the members of civil society as a method of dealing with crime. In the Cape Flats region of Cape Town, conventional state policing agencies (namely SAPS) have failed to deal with the high rates of crime – one of the reasons for the popularity of NWs. Civil policing structures are by no means a new phenomenon in South Africa, and the concept of the NW has been in existence for decades, yet not much academic research has focused on their evolution over the years – particularly those that exist in the Cape Flats region. Using a nodal governance framework, specifically that of nodal policing, this dissertation explores the evolution of their roles, and the relationships or networks they formed (or lack thereof) over time in the battle to reduce crime and to create safe and secure communities. Indeed, numerous studies have been conducted on policing in South Africa for many decades, and some have focused on non-state policing structures in the country. In doing so, they have briefly discussed NWs, however there are few comprehensive studies that have focused solely on the NW and discussed how they have evolved over time. This study addresses that particular gap in the literature. A qualitative study was conducted and members of three different NWs on the Cape Flats located in different areas (two from the Athlone precinct and one from the Manenberg precinct) were interviewed in three separate focus group interviews. The NWs selected for this study were the Bridgetown and Silvertown NWs (Athlone precinct) and the Surrey Estate NW (Manenberg precinct). Importantly, a precinct is a defined district or region of a city which consists of multiple areas (South African National Treasury, 2014:np).
Open Access
An exploratory study on the experiences of female youth victims of crime during load shedding in Site C, Khayelitsha
(2025) Dike, Megan; Kinnes, Irvin; Mguzulwa, Sisanda
Load shedding has become a common problem in South Africa, resulting in daily disruptions affecting every sector of life. Load shedding is a planned and temporary disruption of energy supply to specific areas. The present study explored the experiences of crime of female youth during load shedding at night in Site C, Khayelitsha. While there is extensive literature on the impact of load shedding on crime, no attention has been given to its impact on crime against female youth in Site C, Khayelitsha. The study fills this gap in the existing literature. Although males can experience crime too, the focus of this study is on the experiences of the female youth. Using a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 female youth residents of Site C, of which 8 out of the 15 participants directly experienced crime during load shedding and the other 7 participants had not directly experienced crime, but were witnesses of crime during load shedding. The findings of this study indicate that load shedding is associated with higher levels of robberies, with house robbery being the most common crime during load shedding. Furthermore, the research underscores the role of environmental factors in shaping crime opportunities and highlights the disproportionate impact load shedding has on the female youth. The study also emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect vulnerable groups during load shedding.
Open Access
Contested governance: police and gang interactions
(2017) Kinnes, Irvin; Shearing, Clifford D; Van der Spuy, Elrena
Gangs in Cape Town have long been associated with high levels of violence and police efforts on the Cape Flats, while state agencies have not yet been able to bring any significant relief to the affected communities or growing gang structures. It seems the conventional approaches need reconceptualization. This thesis explores a nodal governance approach to the forms and consequences associated with the policing of gangs by police. Developments in governance theory has brought new insights for our understanding of how state and non-state actors relate in and across different networks, and especially within the security governance networks. However, such research has failed to consider how gangs and police interact and regulate each other through their own governance and conflict with one another. In attempts by the police to govern gangs (and by extension the community), a state of contested governance arises between gangs and police nodes of power. This thesis argues that contrary to previous understandings, the organised gangs of Cape Town regulate and impact the way the police police gangs, which in turn affects the way gangs police themselves, and goes on to explore these interactions.
Open Access
Feeling the Hawks: Why an anti-corruption agency should not be in the SAPS
(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2012) Kinnes, Irvin; Newham, Gareth
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the ‘Hawks’, is currently at a crossroads. The Constitutional Court judgment in Glenister vs the President of South Africa and Others has called into question the Directorate’s continued existence in its current form. One of the most important questions raised by the Constitutional Court judgment is whether the DPCI can be sufficiently independent while located within the SAPS. This article presents arguments in support of the view that separating the unit from the SAPS is essential to build public confidence in the unit and to meet the requirements of the judgment.
Open Access
Policing across divides: a comparative study of police practices in Nyanga and Sea Point
(2024) Schick, Cornelius Georg; Kinnes, Irvin
This master's thesis presents a comparative analysis of police practices in two socio-economic areas of Cape Town, South Africa: Nyanga and Sea Point. The study explores how socio-economic status and crime burden influence policing strategies and how these factors contribute to reinforcing or alleviating social inequalities. The research utilises a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews with police officers provide a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at play. The study finds that policing practices in Nyanga, an area characterised by low socio-economic status and high crime rates, are predominantly reactive, with a strong focus on crime suppression. While addressing immediate safety concerns, this approach inadvertently perpetuates a cycle of mistrust and alienation between the police and the community. In contrast, in Sea Point, an area with higher socio-economic status and lower crime rates, policing is more proactive and community-oriented. This strategy fosters a positive relationship between the police and the residents, enhancing trust and cooperation. The thesis demonstrates that socio-economic factors and crime burden indirectly influence policing practices by affecting crime patterns and community-police relations. The findings emphasise the necessity of a more comprehensive approach to policing that takes into account underlying socio-economic factors and prioritises community engagement, particularly in areas with higher crime rates and lower socio-economic status. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on policing and social inequality. It provides insights into how different approaches can either mitigate or exacerbate the underlying socio-economic disparities within urban communities.
Metadata only
Popular Policing video lecture part I
(2010) Shearing, Clifford D., 1942-; Kinnes, Irvin
This seminar is part of a digital course Trends in the Governance of Security , introduced by Clifford Shearing, which focuses on civic or popular policing. This type of policing is located within South Africa, and discusses some of the historical and ideological backgrounds that underpin the development of civic and popular policing. The course is designed to be presented by a course facilitator within a class room setting where students can engage directly with the materials presented and with each other.
Open Access
Practitioners' discourse of juvenile delinquency at a child and youth care centre in the Western Cape from 1990 to 2020
(2024) Swanepoel, Loulou; Kinnes, Irvin
This paper examines the evolving discourse of juvenile delinquency among practitioners who documented their observations and interactions with juveniles from a Western Cape Child and Youth Care Centre. It employs the Foucauldian discourse analysis approach when analysing the content of thirty learner casefiles from 1990 to 2020. The discourses are analysed in terms of shifts in power over the institutional care of the children brought on by the new democratic government, childcare and justice policies, and the coinciding growth of the restorative approach to juvenile justice. The discourse themes examined include how practitioners consistently conceptualised the juvenile and their delinquency across the thirty years. This was seen in terms of the juvenile's medical health, their ‘criminality', substance use, gang involvement, and tendency to abscond. The juveniles' history of alternative care placements was also frequently documented. Practices eclipsed by the democratic government and restorative justice movement include punitive forms of punishment at the facility and the need for documentation of the child's race. However, only after the enactment of the Children's Act no.38 of 2005, as amended (2010), did a restorative approach to juvenile care, outside of education and vocational training, take significant precedence.
Open Access
The capacity and efficacy of security agencies in combating terrorism in the democratic South Africa
(2025) Ndou, Oliver; Kinnes, Irvin
Terrorism is a complex phenomenon that requires a complex response that involves state capacity and partnership between countries. It poses a threat to global stability because it undermines democratic architecture. Worldwide, terrorism has inflicted significant loss of life, destabilised governments, and created humanitarian crises. In Africa, it presents another dilemma. Countries around the Horn of Africa, such as Somalia, in West Africa, and the Sahel states such as Mali are bedeviled by the existence of groups such as Al-Shabaab, ISIS, and Boko Haram. South Africa is also facing terrorism challenges. It has been used as a helipad for terrorism financing and a transit point because of its complex financial institutions and its perceived incapacity to deal with this phenomenon. The aim and objectives of this research were to determine the capacity and efficacy of security agencies in combating terrorism in democratic South Africa. The research further analysed the manifestation of domestic and international terrorism as perceived in South Africa. Furthermore, a comparative overview of counter-terrorism measures from developed and developing countries was evaluated as a flagship for the South African context. Qualitative research was used in the collection of data. The population was derived from a sample of terrorism and security experts who know the subject matter. Various research tools were developed for collecting data, and these included interviews, questionnaires, recording devices, and document analysis. An interactive qualitative analysis of data was used. The research confirmed that the security agencies are not well-capacitated to combat terrorism in South Africa. However, the research recommended that an integrated, holistic approach is necessary to combat terrorism through collaboration among the various departments of the security agencies.
Open Access
The views and experiences of service providers in facilitating a positive behaviour programme for at-risk youth in Cape Town schools: the case of the tenterden place of safety
(2025) Mathekga, Keneilwe Golden; Kinnes, Irvin
Challenging learner behaviour is one of the critical issues facing the South African education system. Problem behaviours such as bullying, substance abuse, school violence, and gangsterism often result in the expulsion or suspension of a learner as a disciplinary measure. However, these punitive approaches can be counterproductive, as they may expose learners to a range of antisocial behaviours, including involvement in criminal activities, putting them at further risk. Many scholars, both local and international, have criticised punitive disciplinary mechanisms and zero-tolerance policies often adopted by schools, arguing that they contribute to what is known as the school-to-prison pipeline. Restorative justice approaches to school discipline are emerging as a widely supported alternative to such measures, as they align well with PBS models. These approaches provide a holistic understanding of problem behaviour by considering the influences of school, family, and community, rather than isolating the problem. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of service providers in facilitating a PBS model, a restorative approach, for learners with challenging behaviour who are at risk of suspension or expulsion. A qualitative approach and exploratory design were employed, allowing participants to share first-hand experiences relevant to the area of investigation. Purposive sampling was used to select ten participants, who were invited to share their views and experiences in facilitating a PBS programme for learners in schools around Cape Town. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, and the data were analysed thematically using NVivo software. The findings revealed a strong need for restorative justice approaches to school discipline in South Africa. Participants highlighted that traditional punitive and exclusionary measures, which often rely on suspending or expelling learners, predispose children to further antisocial behaviour. The Circle of Courage model, a positive youth development framework based on the pillars of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity, was identified as one of the restorative justice approaches that can support positive behaviour in school settings. The findings revealed that the manifestation of problem behaviour within a learner is often influenced by several contributory factors, including gang influence, dysfunctional family structures, substance abuse, corporal punishment, and negative peer influence. Bullying, cyberbullying, and the use of dangerous weapons were also found to significantly impact incidents of school violence. To address the growing problem of challenging learner behaviour in schools, the study recommends that school management across educational settings adopt restorative justice practices in their discipline programmes. Additionally, the study advocates for fully resourced schools with the full-time services of professionals such as psychologists, social workers, learning support facilitators, and occupational therapists. This approach aims to address challenging behaviour through a more ecosystemic perspective. The study also recommends smaller classrooms to better manage the often-uneven teacher- learner ratio, which is believed to exacerbate problem behaviour. Furthermore, there should be improvements in the training curriculum for teachers at the university level. This curriculum should incorporate the basic tenets of restorative justice practices in school discipline, as well as effective behaviour management techniques that consider the school, family, and community of the learner. Lastly, the study suggests that various entities and individuals might find these recommendations useful. These include behaviour analysts, therapists, psychologists, social workers, juvenile correctional centres, probation officers, policymakers, basic education departments, and both administrators and teachers.
Open Access
“This pen is more important than this firearm”: Exploring security sector governance in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic
(2025) Michaels, Gino Stephano; Kinnes, Irvin; Van Der Spuy; Elrena
This dissertation critically explores the nature of Security Sector Governance (SSG) in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing specifically on the roles, responsibilities, experiences, and perceptions of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Set against the backdrop of an unprecedented public health crisis, the research examines how a highly securitised approach—underpinned by the Disaster Management Act—shaped the implementation of pandemic-related policies. Using a qualitative, single-case study design centered on Kraaifontein Police Station, the study engages with ten SAPS officers through semi-structured interviews, complemented by insights from a Community Policing Forum chairperson and a policing scholar. The findings reveal a fragmented security governance landscape, marked by overlapping institutional frameworks, contested governance, and a blurring of public health and public safety roles. SAPS officers were often unprepared for the public health dimensions of their expanded mandates and struggled with inadequate training, limited personal protective equipment, and heightened exposure to psychological stress. Officers' responses highlight the tension between duty and vulnerability, militarised policing tactics, and the shifting legitimacy of state authority. Drawing from the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, the study evaluates governance performance across indicators such as rule of law, accountability, and security provision. Ultimately, the research underscores the limitations of a militarised pandemic response in a fragile state context and calls for a more inclusive, community-oriented, and health-integrated approach to security governance during states of emergency. Recommendations include structural reforms in inter-agency collaboration, police training, and community engagement to enhance transparency, resilience, and trust within the security sector
Open Access
Uniforms, plastic cops and the madness of 'Superman': an exploration of the dynamics shaping the policing of gangs in Cape Town
(2009) Kinnes, Irvin
Gangs have long been a feature of the social landscape of the City of Cape Town and its environment. They have endured the heaves and sighs of change which have accompanied South Africa's social and political transformation. Whilst local scholarship on gangs is well-established, the complex dynamics accompanying the actual policing of gangs have received relatively little attention. By drawing on a series of in-depth interviews with members of the police organisation and on a small sample of interviews with gang leaders, this article begins to explore selected aspects of the policies and practices associated with the policing of gangs in Cape Town. Central to this exploration is the argument that a wide range of factors influences the operational strategies vis-á-vis gangs including that of the institutional culture of the police itself.
Open Access
Women in blue: Meaning and identity perspectives of policewomen within the South African Police Services in the Cape Town Metropolitan area.
(2024) Zondeka, Kuhle Nwabisa; Kinnes, Irvin
South Africa grapples with a policing crisis marked by rising gender-based violence, corruption, high violent crime rates, robbery, and murder. Effective solutions to improve policing require holistic police reform, addressing internal issues including gender inequality. This study examines the experiences of policewomen in the South African Police Service (SAPS), uncovering their challenges with their male counterparts in the workplace as well as the communities they serve in. Through open-ended interviews, the research reveals discrimination based on capabilities, workplace sexual harassment, and societal devaluation of policewomen as challenges policewomen experience. By applying an intersectional feminist lens, the study recognises the intricate identities of policewomen that are shaped by the intersection of gender and race in a male-dominated society. Policewomen in the SAPS face consistent and constant challenges, however, they continue to demonstrate resilience against mistreatment from colleagues, the public, and superiors. The study concluded that the experience of being a woman in the SAPS defies a simple narrative and lacks a clear formula. This unique experience demands constant efforts to overcome adversities and contribute to changing dynamics within policing. Furthermore, the study showed that policewomen play a crucial role in police reform, standing resilient amid challenges, exemplifying strength, and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable policing environment.

Browsing by Author "Kinnes, Irvin"

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