South Africa, home to the most Black Axe branches in Africa, faces challenges from the group’s links to cybercrime and trafficking. Contrary to Black Axe’s portrayal as a centralised criminal enterprise, this study shows crime stems from autonomous individuals and fluid syndicates with no direct flow of illicit proceeds to the organisation. Yet Black Axe’s secrecy, racketeering and global networks sustain affiliates’ crimes. Recognising layered culpability at the individual, syndicate and organisational levels can help policymakers design targeted interventions.
About the author
Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Senior Researcher and Project Coordinator with ENACT at the Institute for Security Studies, specialises in organised crime, governance and peacebuilding. He has published widely on African security and international policy issues.
Cover image: ISS
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