Exploring the interface between transnational organised crime and political elites in Southern Africa: the cases of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of South Africa
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Date
2021-06
Authors
Mbalane, Pholla Samkezi
Journal Title
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Transnational organised crime syndicates remain increasingly interconnected across the African continent and specifically in the Southern African region. Operating in the shadow of the economy, criminal syndicates and political elites alike continue to profit from crime. The study unpacks the nature of transnational organised crime in Southern Africa by exploring the interface between organised crime and political elites in the region. The research also demonstrates the threats that the nexus between organised crime and political elites pose to good governance, development, and democracy. Moreover, the study concludes with key recommendations on how, if at all, this menacing trend could be reversed. William Reno’s shadow state is adopted as a theoretical framework in this study to evaluate and juxtapose transnational organised crime and political elites in Southern Africa. Reno establishes a concept of a shadow state that exists as a parallel system of governance that is constructed behind the façade of law and governmental institutions. From this framework, organised crime follows the structure of the war economy, in which various informal structures are established by the shadow state to create systems of power, protection, and profit. The study therefore identifies points of cooperation between political and criminal actors and provides insights into the collusive nature of criminal networks within the context of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Moreover, it argues that the distinction between the licit and illicit is frequently blurred and political elites are sometimes the key participants and, to some degree, organisers of organised criminal activities. Both political and criminal actors become rulers of a shadow state with the ability to manipulate access to both the formal and clandestine markets, thereby undermining the legal institutions of government. Comparable to other regions of the African continent, the SADC region constitutes both developing and less developed countries. Some countries in the SADC are entangled in multiple violent conflicts and wars and are in the process of economic and political transition. As a result, their state institutions are fragile. On the other hand, other countries are relatively stable with well-developed infrastructure and economy. Therefore, analysing the phenomenon of the nexus between organised crime and political elites in the region requires an account of all these different factorsand the contributions thereof to the formation of criminal opportunities within different types of states. To achieve this aim, two countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of South Africa (RSA), were selected for qualitative analyses. Although these countries share similar ambitions on regional agendas, they have contrasting governance, economic, and security capacities. As the largest country in the region, the DRC offers a compelling case study. This is not only due to its fame as the largest country in Southern Africa but also because, despite its vast endowment of natural resources, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The DRC has also been involved in violent conflicts over the years. By using the DRC, the study demonstrates how poverty, conflict, instability, and state fragility serve as an opportunity for the complicity of political elites with organised criminal syndicates in the commercialisation of organised criminal activities. However, this study also points out that the phenomenon of the nexus between organised crime and political elites is not only confined to the so-called “weak” or “fragile states”. It is also visible in middle-income states such as the Republic of South Africa. South Africa is regarded as a powerhouse in the region with a relatively well-developed infrastructure and economy. It is entrusted with the responsibility to assist its neighbouring states in matters such as law enforcement initiatives, amongst others. It is also one of the countries with reasonable resources to counter organised crime effectively. Interestingly, this so-called regional powerhouse is also a regional hub for the production and trafficking of drugs and a constellation of other criminal activities. South Africa is, therefore, selected to demonstrate that the involvement of political elites in organised criminal activities is not necessarily linked to poverty, conflict, instability, and state fragility. Post-colonial state structures, the increasingly globalised private sector, as well as the connections between new governments and the colonial political and economic interests also play a role in the proliferation of political elite’s involvement in organised crime. The study concludes that addressing organised crime in the region will require preventing and reversing the criminalisation of governments, coupled with the provision of sustainable economic alternatives for citizens. This can only be achieved through new and innovative responses that extend far beyond the crime-fightingapproach, but that activate regional strategies across a broad range of sectors and include a diverse group of stakeholders.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.A. (Political Studies and Governance))--University of the Free State, 2021, Transnational organised crime, Criminal syndicates, Interface, Political elites, Sustainable development