An overview of the effects of organized crime on southern Africa

Abstract

[enter Abstract Body]Organized crime within and across the Southern Africa borders constitute a threat to regional peace, security and governance in the region. Organized crime such as drug trafficking, human trafficking/smuggling, stolen vehicle trafficking, illegal weapons trade, money laundering, illicit exploitation of natural resources, trafficking in counterfeit medication and cigarettes, and cybercrime continue to exact a high cost in terms of national and transnational security and governance as a result of the strong link between political and sector corruption. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the nature and impact of organized crime on regional peace and security and governance within the southern Africa region, and offers several recommendations such as effective policing across borders, enthronement of good governance and democratic principles and strengthening the capacity of legal instruments and agencies to control organized crimes within the region.