South Africa has been ranked as the seventh most affected country in the world by organised crime a troubling sign that criminal networks are tightening their grip on the nation.
The latest findings from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime place South Africa behind countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but just ahead of Nigeria.
The report highlights the growing prevalence of synthetic drug trafficking, cybercrime, and counterfeiting within South Africa’s borders. It also warns that criminal operations are becoming increasingly globalised and technologically sophisticated, while international cooperation to combat them is weakening.
Rumbi Matamba from the Global Initiative says the data paints a worrying picture of how entrenched organised crime has become. She notes that South Africa’s ranking reflects not only the scale of criminal activity but also the growing influence of illicit networks on governance, the economy, and public safety.
Experts warn that unless stronger cross-border and domestic interventions are put in place, organised crime could further undermine institutions and fuel corruption across multiple sectors.