The Lived Experiences of Victims of Crime in Rural Setups and Access to Formal and Informal Justice Systems| Chapter 5 | The Lived Experiences of Victims of Crime in Rural Setups and Access to Formal and Informal Justice Systems

 

Rural communities in South Africa face unique and persistent challenges in addressing crime, marked by limited access to formal justice mechanisms and reliance on traditional or informal systems of justice. Despite the growing body of research on urban crime and justice, rural crime remains underexplored in academic and policy discourses. This gap has significant implications for understanding how justice is perceived, accessed, and delivered in marginalised, geographically isolated communities. The objective of this study is to critically examine the lived experiences of rural South Africans as victims of crime and to explore their interactions with both formal (state-led) and informal (community-based or traditional) justice systems. The study aims to understand the dynamics of rural crime, the role of community structures, and to recommend strategies for enhancing justice accessibility and crime prevention in rural settings. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews, field observations, and case studies across selected rural communities in South Africa. Participants included community members, traditional leaders, police officials, and local justice practitioners. Thematic analysis was used to interpret data, alongside a review of policy documents and crime statistics to contextualise the findings. Key findings reveal that rural crime, particularly livestock theft, farm attacks, and disputes over land or resources, is often underreported due to fear, distrust in police, and logistical barriers. Many rural communities continue to rely heavily on traditional courts and restorative justice mechanisms, which offer faster, culturally embedded resolutions but sometimes lack procedural fairness. There is a clear tension and disconnection between formal policing and local justice practices, often resulting in fragmented justice delivery. The study concludes that an integrated justice model combining formal and informal mechanisms is essential for effective crime prevention and justice access in rural areas. Strengthening police-community relations, improving rural policing resources, and formally recognising traditional justice systems can enhance justice delivery and trust. These findings have critical implications for criminal justice reform, rural safety strategies, and the broader development agenda in South Africa.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Dr. John Motsamai Modise
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-88417-88-4/CH5