The first three preceding definitions complement each other with regard to illegal activities, which are coordinated for various goals.
10 Thirdly, the network is motivated by profit or power, 11 and fourthly it commits serious criminal offences. 8 First, it contains at least three people 9 secondly, it engages in criminal activity for an indefinite period. The United Kingdom’s National Criminal Intelligence Service ( ncis) attaches four attributes to the networks. 6 McCarry’s definition 7 indicates the same shortfall by referring to a network as a group with a formalised structure, and a primary objective of obtaining money through illegal activities. 5 This definition fails to address the issue of continuity in networks. A network may also refer to transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralised enterprises run by criminals engaging in illegal activity, for various reasons, like money, and political motivation. 4 This definition does not place a geographical jurisdiction to the activities of the networks. An organised crime group or network involves coordination and commission of a serious crime, by people working together on a continuing basis motivated by many factors including financial gain. There are various definitions of networks, which are instructive in tailouring a definition for this article.
The author employs an analysis of primary sources, legal literature, and legislation among other sources to guide the study. The conclusion offers a framework on areas for reform. The third section evaluates the legal regime and the prosecutorial gaps, to show that the laws focus on crimes committed within South Africa. This contribution is divided into four sections, which evaluates the classification system of networks, and the conviction rate system as the yardstick for progress which points to arrests in the parks. 3 This article seeks to state that there is need to refocus on the prosecution of the higher echelons of the organised crime groups who are usually beyond South Africa’s borders. 2 This poaching is attributed to Organised Crime Groups (networks) operating within South Africa, Mozambique, and East Asia. From 2008, there has been a significant increase in rhino horn poaching in South Africa to meet the demand in the Asian markets of China 1 and Vietnam.