Dr Bashizi Murhula
Position
Senior Lecturer
Department
Criminology
Telephone
0514012694
Office
Short CV

Dr Patrick Bashizi Bashige Murhula is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Criminology at the University of the Free State. He completed his undergraduate degree in Social Sciences, majoring in Criminology and Sociology, followed by an Honours degree in Criminology, and Masters and PhD in Criminology and Forensic Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. From 2016 to 2019, Dr Murhula held a position as a part-time lecturer in the Department of Criminology and Forensic Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He then served as a postdoctoral researcher at the College of Law and Management at the same institution from 2019 to 2021 and subsequently as a postdoctoral researcher at Walter Sisulu University from 2021 to June 2024. Dr Murhula is affiliated with several organisations, including the Golden Key International Honour Society, the World Society of Victimology, and the Criminological Society of South Africa. Dr Murhula also serves as a volunteer reviewer for MDPI journals.

Publications
  • Murhula, P. B. B. (2026). Editorial. Students’ perceptions on the decolonisation of higher education curriculum in the global south, Youth Voice Journal, 16(1), 4-7, ISBN (ONLINE): 978-1-80463-081-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20138413
  • Murhula, P. B. B. (2026). Gender Stereotypes in Learning Textbooks: A Decolonial Analysis of Colonial Education in the Global South, Youth Voice Journal, 16(1), 63-73, ISBN (ONLINE): 978-1-80463-081-5
  • Oluwakemi, A., Asakitikpi, A., & Murhula, P. B.B. (2026). Decolonising higher education in Africa: Centring students’ voices in reform efforts, Youth Voice Journal, 16(1), 49-62, ISBN (ONLINE): 978-1-80463-081-5  
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2026). Legal pluralism in South Africa: Integrating customary and common laws in finding justice for victims of gender-based violence. African Journal of Social Work, 16(1), Special Issue on Women and girls in conflict: intersections of victimization, criminalization, and justice, 78-86. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v16i1.82.
  • Murhula, P. B. B. (2026). Restorative Justice Education Programmes in South African Prisons: The Experience of Phoenix Zululand Facilitators. Thesis, 15. 1-14.https://hrcak.srce.hr/345076 
  • Asakitikpi, A. & Murhula, P. B. B. eds., 2024. Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence, Patterns, and Policies. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books.
  • Murhula, P. B. B. (2024). An Overview of Gender-Based Violence in Africa: Causes and Legal Instruments. In: A. Asakitikpi & P. B. B. Murhula, eds. Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence, Patterns, and Policies. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, pp. 11 - 22.
  • Murhula, P. B. B., 2024. Understanding the Profile of Gender-Based Violence Perpetrators in South Africa. In: A. Asakitikpi & P. B. B. Murhula, eds. Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence, Patterns, and Policies. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, pp. 23 - 38.
  • Murhula, P. B. B., 2024. Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Africa: Reducing Risks through Primary Prevention. In: A. Asakitikpi & P. B. B. Murhula, eds. Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prevalence, Patterns, and Policies. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, pp. 163 - 177.
  • Kivivuori, J., Singh, S. B., Suonpää, K., Jagganath, G., Raeste, A., Khan, S., Murhula, P. B. B., & Chetty, R. (2024). Homicide in Global Extremes: Exploring the Feasibility of EHM-Based Analysis in Finland and South Africa. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10439862241242868
  • Murhula, P. B. B. & Katende-Kyenda, N. (2024) Mitigating Gender-Based Violence Among African Youth: The Impact of Using Gender Transformative and Gender-Synchronised Approaches, Youth Voice Journal, ISSN (online): 2056-2969
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2023). The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in South African Correctional Centres: Challenges and Solutions. International Journal of Conflict and Violence (IJCV), 17. https://doi.org/10.11576/ijcv-6541
  • Murhula, P. B. B. & Singh, S. B. (2023). Solving Environmental Crimes through Restorative Justice Approaches. Thesis, 12(1), 55-75. https://hrcak.srce.hr/broj/23813
  • Singh, S & Murhula, P.B.B. (2022). Offender Rehabilitation Approaches in South Africa: An Evidence-Based Analysis. In M. Vanstone & P. Priestley (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of Global Rehabilitation in Criminal Justice. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 525-539 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14375-5)
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2022). A Critical Analysis of the Restorative Justice Approach in Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses to Gender-Based Violence. Internet Journal of Restorative Justice, ISSN (online): 2056- 2985 (https://www.rj4allpublications.com/product/a-critical-analysis-of-the-restorative-justice)
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2022). Indigenous restorative justice mechanisms as a tool for transitional justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 22(1), 35-54
  • Ngcobo, L., & Murhula, P, B, B. (2022). Applying Restorative Justice Mechanisms to end school Based Violence in South Africa, Internet Journal of Restorative Justice, ISSN (online): 2056-2985 (https://www.rj4allpublications.com/product/applying-restorative-justice-mechanisms-to-end-schoolbased- violence-in-south-africa/)
  • Murhula, P.B.B. & Singh, S (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Nationalism on Global Health and on Human Rights to Health Standards. The Oriental Anthropologist
  • Murhula, P.B.B. & Nunlall, R (2021). COVID19 and the Ban of Alcohol Sales in South Africa: A Critical Overview. Acta Criminologica: African Journal of Criminology and Victimology (Special Edition: Impact of COVID-19 / 34(3) / 2021)
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2021). Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a Restorative Justice Intervention for Unity and Reconciliation: The Experience of South Africa. E-book “Sulear 2 Ingles.
  • Murhula, P.B.B; Singh, S; Sunshine M Myende (2021).The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Gender- Based Violence: A Global Review and Analysis. The International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 16, 84- 96. (https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.4762356)
  • Ntombenhle, N.; Tolla, AD & Murhula, P.B.B (2021). An overview of the South African criminal justice system`s response to male sexual secondary victimization within Correctional Services. In: S. Singh; M. Srivastava & S. Vijaya (eds). Crime, Criminality and Criminal Justice System. India: Wordscope Publishers Private Limited, pp. 14-31
  • Murhula, P.B.B.& Singh, S. (2020). An Empirical Assessment of the Effectiveness of Offenders’ Rehabilitation Approach in South Africa: A Case Study of the Westville Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. The Oriental Anthropologist: A Bi-annual International Journal of the Science of Man, 20, 347 - 369. (https://doi.org/10.1177/0972558X20952972)
  • Murhula, P.B.B, & Tolla, A.D. (2020). The Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crime: Evidence from South Africa. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy, 9, 98-110. (https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.1511)
  • Murhula, P.B.B, & Chivasa, N. (2020). Colonialism in Africa: A forgotten crime against humanity. In: B. Agozino; V. Saleh-Hanna; E. Onyeozili & N. P. Dastile (eds). The Routledge Handbook of Africana Criminologies. London: Routledge, pp. 57-78. (https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003004424)
  • Murhula, P.B.B & Singh, S. (2019). A Critical Analysis on Offenders Rehabilitation Approach in South Africa: A Review of the Literature. African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies, 12, 21-43. 
Research

Conference and Workshop Presentations
 

  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2025). Legal Pluralism in South Africa: Integrating Customary and Common Laws in Finding Justice for Victims of Gender-Based Violence. Paper presented at the symposium on the Intersection of Victimisation, Criminalisation, and Gender Equality: Advancing Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for All Women and Girls, hosted by the Department for Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria, 13 August.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2025). Approaches, frameworks and guidelines on the response to high rates of recidivism amongst parolees. Paper presented at the National Summit on the Parole Review System, hosted by the Department of Correctional Services at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, Pretoria, 22-23 September.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2025). Restorative Justice and Land Reform Policy in South Africa. Paper presented at the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Land, online, 4-5 September. 
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2005). Addressing Colonial Legacies: A Decolonial Approach for Peace and Security in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Paper presented at the symposium on the Intersectionality for Sustainable Impact and Inclusion in Africa (ISIIA), hosted by the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Humanities, Johannesburg, 27-28 of August.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2025). Restorative Justice and Criminal Justice Systems in Africa. Paper presented at the panel discussion entitled “Criminal Justice Reforms: Perspectives from Africa”, co-hosted by Notre Dame University and Strathmore University. Nairobi: Kenya, 31 January.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2024). The Politics of Knowledge Production and the Colonial Logics Underpinning It in the Criminal Justice Systems. Paper presented at “Decolonising Knowledge Production Colloquium”, hosted by the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State, 27-29 August.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2024). The Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crime? Evidence from South Africa. Paper presented at “13th International Conference on Victim Assistance”, hosted by O.P. Jindal Global University. Sonipat: India, 11-12 November.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. & Giddy, A (2024). Improving the Efficiency and Consistency of the Parole System in South Africa.  Paper presented at the “Workshop on the Evaluation of South Africa’s Parole System”, co-hosted by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Department of Correctional Services. South Africa, 20 November.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2022). Understanding the Profile of Gender-Based Violence Perpetrators in South Africa. Paper presented at “Gender-Based Violence in South Africa Colloquium”, hosted by IIE MSA. Johannesburg: South Africa, 6 December.
  • Murhula, P.B.B. (2021). Restorative Justice and Peace Building in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Explorative Study on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Paper presented at the “2021 Stockholm Criminology Symposium”. 15-16 June (online). 
Area(s) of Interest
  • Restorative Justice
  • Gender-Based Violence
  • Corrections
  • Forensic Criminology
  • African Criminology
Expertise
  • Offender Rehabilitation
  • Restorative Justice
  • Gender-Based Violence
  • Criminal Justice System
  • Victimology
Courses Presented
  • CRIM1624: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • CRIM6834: Advanced Victimology
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FACULTY CONTACT

T: +27 51 401 2240 or humanities@ufs.ac.za

Postgraduate:
Marizanne Cloete: +27 51 401 2592

Undergraduate:
Neliswa Motebang: +27 51 401 2536
Phyllis Masilo: +27 51 401 9683
Thandeka Deeuw: +27 51 401 5460

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