Introduction 

Many young men are becoming izinkabi (contract killers/hitmen) in South Africa. However, it is worth noting that poverty is one of the key drivers of the emergence of ubunkabi (contract killing) in South Africa. While poverty contributes greatly to this issue, other factors also play a role. Numerous cases of ubunkabi have been reported to have taken place in different parts of South Africa; however, this issue is more serious in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, and most of the notorious izinkabi in South Africa are from KwaZulu-Natal. 

Poverty Contributing to ubunkabi

Many men (including a handful of women) get involved in ubunkabi due to their state of poverty. Poverty forces them to partake in ubunkabi not because it is something they like. Given that these individuals are poor and unemployed, ubunkabi becomes one of the options for them to survive and to have some economic means to feed their struggling families in the countryside, where poverty is serious compared to the urban areas. In many instances, the poor men are used by those who have economic means to eliminate their enemies. While poverty contributes greatly to the emergence of ubunkabi, greed is also another factor contributing to the emergence of ubunkabi. Some people become izinkabi not because they are poor but because they are by nature greedy and ungrateful of what they have. In light of this, it is worth noting that some people partake in ubunkabi while they are working, have some economic stable, and sometimes own a business. For instance, many izinkabi in KwaZulu-Natal are in the taxi industry, owning one or two taxis. Yet, they are still participating in ubunkabi. 

Peer Pressure and Bad Influences Contributing to ubunkabi

The other factor that leads some people into ubunkabi is peer pressure or bad influence from peers. In other words, some people engage in ubunkabi because they have been lured by their friends who are already izinkabi. Seeing what your izinkabi friends have (i.e., money, cars, homes, businesses) that they have as a result of their involvement in ubunkabi, you get tempted into becoming inkabi (hitman) as well. 

Violence as a Factor to ubunkabi

Lastly, growing up in a violent context is likely to make some people become violent people in the future, and people who have no conscience or regret about getting rid of someone’s life. In other words, how someone was raised has an impact on what and who they become in the future. Growing up in a context where your father is inkabi, for example, can make someone inkabi in the future.

Dangers Associated with ubunkabi 

Indeed, as you hustle through Ubunkabi, you get some economic means to survive and feed your families and perhaps to buy yourself luxurious cars. However, one of the dangers associated with ubunkabi is that you are always at risk of being killed, and it is likely that inkabi will end up in jail. 

Conclusion

Several factors contribute to ubunkabi. While poverty contributes greatly to this issue, other factors such as greed, bad influence from friends, and a bad upbringing contribute to the emergence of ubunkabi as well.