African Journals Online
Acta Criminologica

Volume 14, Issue 2, 2001
Abstracts

Title: The CRIMSA Standards Generating Body (SGB) Initiative
Authors: Prinsloo, J.

Abstract: The South African Qualifications Act (58 of 1995) heralded profound changes in the field of education. In the light of the new educational requirements set out in the South African Qualifications Act and the Regulations, CRIMSA (The Criminological Society of South Africa) organised two workshops in 1999 inviting all criminology and criminal justice departments to participate and debate curriculum guidelines as to what should constitute a generic BA criminology programme in South Africa. 


Title: Reconstructing Criminology in South Africa - challenges for the new millennium
Authors: Naude, B.

Abstract: The South African Qualifications Act (58 of 1995) heralded many changes in the field of education and filled many academics with fear and trepidation while others regarded it as a wonderful challenge to enhance the development of learners and to improve the social and economic development of the country. This discussion will give an overview of the aims and objectives of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and its various bodies as set out in a number of SAQA publications, followed by a focus on national and international trends in criminology and criminal justice with a view to indicating some challenges for the future development of criminology in South Africa. 


Title: Exploring career opportunities for Criminologists
Authors: Joubert, S.Maree, A. 

Abstract: Students of Criminology have often been cautioned that careerwise they are facing a dead-end with little prospects of job opportunities. In a similar vein, Criminology as a subject has been regarded by some as mainly theoretical in nature with limited practical application. The latter accusation has been proved groundless as contemporary textbooks and updated syllabi indicate practical examples and constructive outcomes. To address career possibilities for Criminologists one should firstly determine the role of Criminologists in the Human Sciences, followed by the skills that have to be acquired to fulfil such a role in order to realise the contributions which Criminologists could make towards combatting crime.


Title: Children's rights : calling for a code of professional responsibilities in career counselling
Authors: Maree, J.G.

Abstract: Decisions of South African courts and, indeed, of the South African parliament affect all psychologists. Career counselling professionals have to become knowledgeable regarding the legal aspects of career counselling. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse for unacceptable practices, which includes career counselling practices. The Employment Equity Bill, for instance, prohibits unfair discrimination of any kind whatsoever. The law is clear: psychological testing and other similar assessments of an employee are prohibited unless the test or assessment being used has been scientifically shown to be valid and reliable; can be applied fairly to all employees; and is not biased against any employee or group. Furthermore, the Ethical Code for Psychologists states that psychologists (should) avoid any action that may violate or diminish the legal and civil rights of clients. The question that now arises is: do certain aspects of career counselling, as it is currently practised in South Africa, respect the rights of children, including adolescents and/or youths, or are children's rights in some instances violated?


Title: Application of an integrated model to explain criminal behaviour
Authors: Van der Hoven, A.

Abstract: The deficiencies and limitations regarding the presentation of individual-oriented factors in current textbooks in Criminology were previously reviewed by the author (see Van der Hoven 2001:81-89). In order to broaden the perspective of individual-oriented factors contributing to criminal behaviour an integrated model was designed to explain the criminal event. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the application of the integrated model to explain the criminal event in a specific case study. Individual-oriented factors, milieu-oriented factors, as well as the victim, the crime and aftermath of the crime is incorporated in the proposed theoretical model. As point of departure, the author used the theoretical framework developed by Leslie Kennedy and Vincent Sacco (1996) and the term "criminal event" as conceptualised by these factors. 


Title: The international crime victim survey in Windhoek, Namibia (1999)
Authors: Prinsloo, J.Naude, B.Ladikos, T.Snyman, R.

Abstract: The International Crime (Victim) Survey (ICVS) was conducted in Windhoek, Namibia between June and October 1999. The standardised questionnaire compiled by UNICRI, generally referred to as the International Crime (Victim) Survey, was used to collect the information.


Title: Reformation of sentencing in South Africa
Authors: Neser, J.

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to scrutinise sentencing in South African, and to highlight certain facets of this process that are of importance to criminology. 


Title: Modern victimology : its importance, scope and relationship with Criminology
Authors: Garkawe, S.

Abstract: This article is the first of a series of two that analyses some of the key issues in modern victimology. 


Title: Attitudes and beliefs of police officers towards witchcraft (boloi) and their intervention role in the Northern Province, South Africa
Authors: Peltzer, K.Makgoshing, P.

Abstract: From January to June 1996 765 witchcraft-related crimes were reported to the police in the Northern Province (5.2 million population) and referred to charges of "pointing-out a person as a witch" with regard to arson, murder, attempted murder and public violence. Only a few arrests were made. Witchcraft is a priority crime in the Northern Province (SAPS 1997). Various reports indicate the increase of problems associated with witchcraft accusations, witch killings and muti (herbal medicine) killings in the region (Baholo 1994; Dolamo 1996; Evans 1991; Mogashoa 1987; Ralushai, Masingi, Madiba, Van den Heever, Mathiba & Mphaphuli 1996; Stadler 1996). Conflict exists between traditional and formal courts on witchcraft. The former acknowledges the existence of witchcraft and such people were tried and sentenced. After the introduction of the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957 as amended by Act 50 of 1970, the powers of traditional courts were limited. However, witchcraft complaints are not acknowledged in the formal courts. Many people argue that this is the reason why people opt to take the law into their own hands by burning or evicting the alleged witches. 


Title: Victimisation risk of vehicle hijacking victims : a routine activity approach
Authors: Davis, L.

Abstract: The routine activity approach to a large degree focuses on situational factors during a criminal act and can therefore be used to explain victimisation risk in the case of vehicle hijacking victims.


Title: How the wife or partner experiences the probationer's correctional supervision
Authors: Erasmus, W.Pretorius, R.Van den Berg, D.

Abstract: Although a number of books, scientific works and articles have been published on corrective supervision as a form of punishment, it could not be ascertained thus far whether research in South Africa was carried out about the effects that the correctional supervision of the male offender has on his spouse or partner.


Title: The effect of cultural and demographic variables on the ethical behaviour of a group of managers in the financial sector
Authors: Van Zyl, E.Prinsloo, J.

Abstract: Considering the diversity of the South African society and the considerable changes as well as challenges facing South African managers, ethical problems and the ways to address them are becoming some of the most important issues of the new millennium. One way of handling ethical issues among managers is to investigate the effect of cultural and demographic factors (these include gender, age, length of service, qualification, number of dependents, marital status and home language) on ethical behaviour. This should help employers to identify unethical behaviour among specific groups of people and plan for the management thereof.