The persistence of male gangs in South Africa
Written by: Naledi Selebano
The definitions of gangs and the nature of individuals involved in them continue to ignite debates among academics, law enforcement, communities, and various societal stakeholders worldwide. Key questions in this debate include the age of gang members, the relationship between gangs and crime, the diverse compositions of gangs, and common elements shared across different gangs.
In South Africa, the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) No. 121 of 1998 defines gangs as groups of three or more individuals engaged in criminal activities and who possess identifiable names or symbols. In contrast, the National Anti-Gangsterism Strategy (NAGS), approved in 2016 but not yet publicly released, addresses gangsterism as a complex issue impacting areas such as policing, community cohesion, health, and education. Additionally, the Western Cape Anti-Gang Strategy expands the definition of gangs beyond crime and violence, highlighting the necessity for interventions at various societal levels.
In 2024, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) published a report examining the persistent presence of male gangs in communities and correctional facilities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, as well as their connection to gender, particularly the social construction of masculinity. This study was conducted against the backdrop of a culture of violence that affects transgender and gender diverse groups, which includes issues like harassment, discrimination, and the phenomenon of corrective rape; the challenge of men-on-men violence highlighted by the 2017 South African Medical Research Council report, which indicated that men account for 87% of murder victims; and the intersection of gangs with gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), linking this issue to toxic masculinities and the power dynamics that men exert over women and girls.
The findings of the study highlight the key factors influencing the involvement of men and boys in gangs, drawing from pre-existing extensive research conducted over several decades. The findings identify several issues, including family structure, lack of support, socioeconomic challenges, peer pressure, and the glamorization of gangs, that contribute to this phenomenon. Notably, the absence of fathers and the pressure to become primary providers emerged as significant risks for gang involvement. Participants often viewed crime as a way to meet their basic needs and desires, driven by societal expectations to support their families. Those without father figures felt especially pressured to provide for their families and romantic partners.
Many study participants came from impoverished backgrounds in urban areas of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape, where socioeconomic inequalities are pronounced. The legacy of the apartheid-era Group Areas Act continues to impact these communities, resulting in significant challenges such as unemployment, inadequate housing, and poor services. Participants reported feelings of powerlessness due to poverty, joblessness, limited opportunities, and subpar service delivery. In response, some resorted to gangs as a means to reclaim power and status. Membership in gangs gave these men significance and recognition within their communities and among fellow gang members. Furthermore, the long-standing notion of power as a symbol of masculinity was evident, with men equating status and wealth with manhood. This pursuit of power was observed in both street gangs and those within correctional facilities. The study also revealed that young boys were recruited into gangs in search of recognition and validation.
The study emphasizes that gangs offer a sense of belonging and protection in areas dominated by gang activity and in correctional facilities where violence is common. Gangs exert a significant influence in correctional centre environments and certain communities, particularly in the Western Cape, where they establish control through fear, disorder, intimidation, and the marginalization of men who do not follow gang rules, alongside official power structures. Essentially, gangs wielded such power that not being affiliated with one made individuals vulnerable.
The study concluded that the factors influencing gang involvement among men and boys are complex and interconnected, encompassing individual, family, cultural, economic, social, and political elements. Low self-esteem, often stemming from feelings of abandonment and a lack of support, especially in families without fathers, increased the likelihood of joining a gang. Furthermore, while gangs provided a sense of belonging, this sense was frequently based on unhealthy male camaraderie characterized by substance abuse and violence. The study further concluded that men’s identities, which were often linked to the role of provider, also drove them toward gang involvement, particularly in areas with fewer job and economic opportunities. Finally, despite efforts to tackle gang-related issues through the NAGS, the initiatives remained fragmented, with poor coordination and inadequate evaluation among state and non-governmental stakeholders. Consequently, this negatively impacted the quality and effectiveness of the strategies to address gangs.
The report presents a comprehensive array of recommendations aimed at fostering a holistic, society-wide approach to the identified challenges. The report may be found on the CGE Website: www.cge.org.za