Exploring responses to cybercrime in South Africa: The South African Police Services (SAPS) perspectives

Ngcece, Slindile; Mkhize, Sazelo; Majola, Khanyisile B

doi:10.22059/jcss.2025.395262.1149

Exploring responses to cybercrime in South Africa: The South African Police Services (SAPS) perspectives

Document Type : Review article

Authors

Slindile Ngcece ¹

Sazelo Mkhize ²

Khanyisile B Majola ²

¹ Department of Humanities, School of Applied Human Sciences, University of Kwa Zulu Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

² Department of Criminology and Security Science, School of Criminal Justice College of Law, The University of South Africa (UnISA), Pretoria, South Africa.

10.22059/jcss.2025.395262.1149

Abstract

Background: The rapid development of technology and computing has significantly impacted modern societies, leading to increased opportunities for wealth creation and, inversely, transactional offending. Cybercrimes are increasing and have become a major threat to nations, governments, businesses, and individuals, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and personal information data breaches.
Aims: This study explores how the South African Police Service (SAPS) responds to and combats cybercrimes.
Methodology: This research was conducted in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The study adopted the qualitative research approach and the phenomenological research design, according to which interpretive and constructivist qualitative research paradigms were deemed appropriate. Data was collected through in-depth interviews using semi-structured interviews, with a sample of 17 participants purposively drawn from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the Commercial Crimes Unit (CCI) of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The theoretical orientation that guided the study is the Structural Functionalism Theory. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings: The study revealed that South Africa has been experiencing an increase in cybercrimes. However, has introduced laws and security strategies, such as the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Bill of 2017, to respond to cybercrimes. However, these are argued to be not adapting fast enough to the constantly changing technological environment.
Conclusion: Although limited, there are Police forensic experts in the field who can respond to cybercrimes. The study emphasizes the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including prosecutors, the judiciary, private security agencies, CSPs, and ISPs, to effectively tackle cybercrimes.

Keywords

cybercrimes

cybersecurity

law enforcement

policies

South African police services

Subjects

humanities & social sciences

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