West African Criminal Networks in South and Southern Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	West African Criminal Networks in South and Southern Africa
Author:	Shaw, Mark
Year:	2002
Periodical:	African Affairs: The Journal of the Royal African Society
Volume:	101
Issue:	404
Period:	July
Pages:	291-316
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Southern Africa South Africa
Subjects:	immigrants organized crime Law, Human Rights and Violence
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/3518536
Abstract:	Southern Africa, and South Africa in particular, has become an important home base for criminal networks made up of individuals from West Africa. Drawing on interviews in 2001 with those involved, this article considers the nature, extent and development of this phenomenon. The evidence gathered on two core activities - drug trafficking and advanced fee fraud - suggests that standard conceptions of organized crime as structured and hierarchical entities do not take account of the specific networked nature of West African criminal groups. This is illustrated by profiles of some of the core individuals involved and their activities. The rapid growth of West African criminal networks has critical implications for policy, including the requirement to engage with West African populations resident in South Africa. Despite this, however, the author notes that there are few social constraints on the involvement of some individuals in illicit activity, much of which is seen as ordinary trade or simple business transactions. Notes, ref., sum.