An Exploration of Community-Based Security Interventions in Addressing Cross-Border Criminality by Illegal Migrants: The Case of Rural Limpopo, South Africa
Rendani Tshifhumulo 
Issue: Vol.6 No.5 Issue Article 10 pp. 499-511
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256510 | Published online 11th April, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
The exacerbation of illegal migration has significantly impacted South Africa, particularly compromising the safety of communities in proximity to the Limpopo River. This issue is a global challenge as nations grapple with the ramifications of political and civil unrest, economic instability, unemployment, poverty, and human rights violations. Specifically, the border regions of South Africa, including areas such as Malale, Sigonde, Masisi, and other surrounding villages in Niani in the Limpopo province, have become focal points for the influx of illegal migrants. With illegal migration, the communities within border areas have suffered criminal activities, including stock theft and car hijackings. This paper, therefore, examined the experiences and measures used by community members to respond to cross-border crime in the Limpopo area. Employing a qualitative methodology, this study explored the strategies used by Niani community members to respond to criminal activities within rural areas. The findings elucidated the dire circumstances faced by the local impoverished populace, who attribute a surge in criminal activities, including stock theft, housebreaking, car hijacking, and muggings, to the phenomenon of illegal migration. Additionally, these areas have become conduits for transporting other illicit goods, further endangering the lives of residents. There are achievements noted resulting from community groups responding to crime, including knowledge dissemination, recovery systems, and response strategies to criminality. Given the profound impact on the well-being of these communities, the paper advocates for a comprehensive review and revision of policies concerning illegal immigration and border areas by the South African government to address and mitigate these human security concerns.
Keywords: Community Safety, Criminality, Cross Borders, Illegal Migration, Response to Crime
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Associate Professor Rendani Tshifhumulo is the Head of the department of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Venda. She has a career in university teaching that spans over 24 years. She holds a PhD from the University of Venda, an MA from the University of Pretoria, and a PGDip from Rhodes University. She is a scholar and a researcher, and she enjoys working on various community projects to assist school learners. She is a South African Sociological Association (SASA) member and serves at various university structures, including the Faculty Higher Degree Committee, Research Ethics Social Science Committee, and SENATE.
Tshifhumulo, Rendani. “An Exploration of Community-Based Security Interventions in Addressing Cross-Border Criminality by Illegal Migrants: The Case of Rural Limpopo, South Africa,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.5 (2025): 499 – 511. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256510
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
