Dark underworld of hit killings

interviewing suspected hitmen and says that, as with any profession, “it comes down to you pay for what you get”. The price for murder can range from R5 000, and up to R200 000 depending on how difficult the hit is.

“There is the whole spectrum, there are once-off hits to the high end,” he adds.

The high-end hits are more professional, and Shaw believes more difficult to identify as they can be disguised as accidents or the by-product of crime.

Personal hits, like those of family members, Shaw has found, are often thwarted by police stings.

“What seems to happen is someone will try and find a hitman. That person then goes to the police and the police set up a sting.”

The hitman culture, says Thomas, has evolved from “nurseries of violence” that included the hostels, the taxi industry and gangs.

Overcrowded hostels make it easy for assassins to escape the police and hide.

However, what surprised Shaw in her research were the hitmen themselves.

“It’s not like the Hollywood image of a hitman as someone who is tough and professional.

“In reality, most of them are vulnerable.”

Run-of-the-mill hitmen do it for money, and in some accounts are professional – but most don’t live long. “They know a lot and are seen as a threat,” Shaw says.

To sort out assassinations, Shaw believes two issues need to be addressed.

The first is that the police need to improve their investigations into hit-related murders.

“They need to send a message that this will not be tolerated. Also, it needs to be tackled at a socioeconomic level.”

Shaw and Thomas plan to continue their investigation into South Africa’s dark underworld of hit-related murders.

“We want to look at cases and trace what happens to hitman as they move through the justice system,” he says.