The Student Activists Turned Crime Lords: How Nigerian Confraternities Became South Africa’s Newest Mafia

In the shadowy underworld of organized crime, a new threat has emerged in South Africa—one with roots not in traditional gangsterism, but in university campuses and social justice movements. What began as student activism during the apartheid era has morphed into sophisticated criminal networks that now represent one of the country’s most pressing security challenges.

From Campus Activists to Criminal Enterprises

According to Dr. Christian Ani, a researcher with the ENACT programme at the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, Nigerian confraternities operating in South Africa have transformed into full-fledged criminal organizations. The most prominent among them—the Black Axe—exemplifies this disturbing evolution from social movement to transnational crime syndicate.

The story begins in the 1950s with the establishment of the Pirates Confraternity, founded by none other than Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka. These organizations emerged as platforms for intellectual discourse and social justice advocacy. By the 1970s, additional groups like the Black Axe—officially known as the Neo-Black Movement of Africa—joined the landscape, all sharing a common origin in university activism.

“They were born out of the university system during a time of activism and opposition to apartheid,” Dr. Ani explained in an exclusive interview. “Black Axe was meant to be a liberal, inclusive group supporting equality and social progress.”

But how did organizations founded on such noble principles become enmeshed in criminal activities? The answer lies in a perfect storm of changing recruitment practices, internal rivalries, and the political climate of Nigeria during military rule.

The Descent into Criminality

As Dr. Ani detailed, the transformation was gradual but decisive. “Rivalries developed between the confraternities, and recruitment became more open,” he noted. “This allowed people with criminal motives to join. Violence also became a defining feature as groups fought for power, especially during Nigeria’s years of military rule when violence was common.”

The consequences of this shift are now being felt across South Africa, where these groups have established sophisticated criminal operations spanning multiple illicit industries. Their portfolio includes cybercrime, romance scams, business email compromise schemes, drug trafficking, and human trafficking—all operated with the efficiency of multinational corporations.

The Modern Criminal Footprint

The scale of their operations became particularly evident in 2021 when eight Black Axe members were arrested in Cape Town for large-scale online scams connected to networks in Europe and the United States. This case revealed just how internationally connected these organizations had become.

What makes these organizations particularly challenging to combat is their dual nature. As Dr. Ani emphasized, “The organization doesn’t sit down and plan scams. Its constitution appears legitimate—focused on welfare and humanitarian work—but criminal members exploit its structure and culture of loyalty to operate protection rackets.”

This protection network system allows criminals to call on confraternity members for assistance in intimidating or attacking rivals. The international nature of these networks means that conflicts originating in Nigeria frequently spill over into South African territory.

The Johannesburg Connection

South Africa’s economic hub, Johannesburg, has become a particular hotspot for confraternity activity. Dr. Ani identified at least five major groups operating in the country: Black Axe, Vikings, Aye-Aye, Buccaneers, and Maites. Their presence is most acutely felt in Johannesburg, where rivalries frequently erupt over business deals or financial disputes.

“They are especially active in Johannesburg, where rivalries often break out over business deals or money disputes,” Dr. Ani confirmed. The city’s status as Africa’s financial capital makes it an attractive base for their diversified criminal enterprises.

Infiltration and Influence

Perhaps most concerning is the degree to which these organizations have penetrated state institutions. Dr. Ani revealed that confraternities have successfully infiltrated law enforcement agencies, with some members persuading police officers to act on their behalf.

“Some members are wealthy and influential enough to sway officials or security personnel,” he noted. While firm evidence of political involvement remains elusive, the financial muscle and connections of certain members raise serious concerns about their ability to corrupt public officials.

The challenge for South African authorities is compounded by difficulties in identifying these networks during law enforcement operations. “When a Nigerian national is arrested, it’s usually reported simply as that—without noting which confraternity they belong to,” Dr. Ani observed. “In the US and Europe, investigators are starting to look deeper into these links, but that hasn’t happened here yet.”

The Professional Facade

One of the most intriguing aspects of these organizations is their membership composition. Contrary to popular perception, not all members are criminals. The ranks include professionals—lawyers, doctors, politicians—who may have joined for networking opportunities or ideological reasons.

However, the culture of secrecy and loyalty within these groups creates a dangerous dynamic where even non-criminal members may find themselves protecting those engaged in illicit activities. This blurred line between legitimate professional networks and criminal enterprises makes prosecution and investigation particularly challenging.

A Path Forward: Engagement Over Confrontation?

Dr. Ani, who was in South Africa to attend a workshop on confraternity operations, advocates for a nuanced approach to dealing with these organizations. Rather than pure law enforcement crackdowns, he suggests a strategy of engagement and dialogue.

“Law enforcement should engage them directly,” he proposed. “If they truly see themselves as humanitarian or social organizations, they must help identify the criminal elements within their ranks.”

This approach recognizes the complex nature of these groups—organizations that maintain legitimate social functions while harboring criminal elements. By encouraging self-policing and cooperation, authorities might achieve what pure enforcement has failed to deliver: the isolation and neutralization of criminal elements while preserving the legitimate social functions these organizations provide.

The International Dimension

The confraternity phenomenon in South Africa cannot be understood in isolation. These networks operate across borders, with activities in Nigeria, South Africa, Europe, and the United States interconnected through sophisticated communication and financial channels.

The 2021 Cape Town arrests demonstrated this international reach, with investigations revealing connections to criminal operations spanning multiple continents. This global footprint necessitates coordinated international responses, something that law enforcement agencies are only beginning to develop.

Broader Implications for South Africa

The emergence of confraternity-based organized crime represents more than just another law enforcement challenge. It speaks to broader issues of transnational criminal networks exploiting gaps in international cooperation and differences in legal frameworks.

For South Africa, which already faces significant challenges with homegrown organized crime, the addition of sophisticated international networks represents a compounding threat. The confraternities’ involvement in cybercrime particularly concerns authorities, given the potential impact on South Africa’s financial sector and digital infrastructure.

Moreover, the ability of these groups to infiltrate law enforcement and potentially corrupt public officials strikes at the very heart of state security. The situation demands not just better law enforcement, but comprehensive anti-corruption measures and improved international intelligence sharing.

Looking Ahead

As Dr. Ani’s research continues, one question remains paramount: Are these organizations fundamentally criminal networks masquerading as social brotherhoods, or are they genuine social organizations that have been hijacked by criminal elements?

“It’s a complicated issue,” Dr. Ani acknowledged, “but engaging them openly might be the only way to weaken these criminal networks that have taken hold.”

The answer to this question will shape South Africa’s approach to dealing with this emerging threat. What’s clear is that traditional law enforcement tactics alone may prove insufficient against organizations that operate simultaneously in both legitimate social spaces and the criminal underworld.

As these networks continue to evolve and expand their operations, South African authorities face the challenging task of developing responses sophisticated enough to match the complexity of the threat. The stakes are high—not just for South Africa’s security, but for the stability of the broader region increasingly connected to global criminal networks.

Source: BusinessTech