Organised crime and terrorism: Observations from Southern Africa

An overview of key characteristics of organised crime in Southern Africa and highlights the features that might predispose the region to terrorism.

The prevailing global counter-terrorism strategies and initiatives continue to have a profound effect on many parts of the world. Whether the measures that have been adopted and in some cases implemented will succeed in eliminating or reducing terrorist activities depends in part on whether they are based on a comprehensive appreciation of the causes and catalysts of terrorism. It has been suggested that in combating terrorism, the impact of organised crime and war is often overlooked.

This paper presents an overview of key characteristics of organised crime in Southern Africa and highlights the features that might predispose the sub-region to terrorism. Drawing on lessons from other regions, it analyses the relationship between different phases of terrorism and typologies of organised crime.

About the author

Charles Goredema is a senior research fellow in the Organised Crime and Corruption Programme at the ISS. He has been conducting research into forms of organised crime in Southern Africa and appropriate criminal and civil justice responses since mid-2000. Charles holds qualifications in law from the universities of Zimbabwe and London.