Briefing Paper

A Network of Violence Mapping a Criminal Gang Network in Cape Town

The study examined the characteristics of the structure, actors involved and types of interactions of a criminal network formed by a gang operating in Cape Town, South Africa. The analysis is based on data gathered from a case judgement in the Western Cape High Court. The accused group were on trial for a number of crimes, including murder, assault, theft, and malicious damage to property, and were also indicted in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, which criminalises membership of a criminal organisation. This information was processed and analysed by applying specific social network analysis protocols, among other methods.