Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Reading List
Published on 2024-03-27 06:00:30
In the year 2022, South Africa witnessed an alarming 27,000 recorded murders, and a significant portion of these cases—1,894, to be precise—were attributed to mob justice and vigilantism. This marked a stark increase from previous years, indicating a troubling trend in the nation’s justice system. By the first nine months of 2023, an additional 1,472 deaths due to mob justice had been registered, further highlighting the severity of the issue.
While mob justice is not a new phenomenon in South Africa, recent years have seen a disturbing escalation in its brutality and frequency. Incidents such as the Zandspruit massacre in May 2021 and the killings during the July unrest of the same year have underscored the pervasive nature of vigilantism in the country. Additionally, operations like Operation Dudula in 2022 have brought the issue to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness like never before.
To delve deeper into the roots, realities, and consequences of South Africa’s crisis of vigilantism, a comprehensive investigation has been conducted. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, the book “Why We Kill” explores the harrowing stories behind three recent cases of mob justice, spanning from the bustling townships of Gauteng to the remote bushveld of northern Limpopo.
One such case recounts the tragic tale of Thabiso and Calvin, two young men caught in the crosshairs of mob justice. A group of individuals, led by locals known as Vinny, Gilly, Jappie, and Samson, accused Calvin of robbery and took matters into their own hands. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Calvin was subjected to a brutal interrogation, resulting in his untimely demise alongside another innocent man named Thabo.
The Lebese family, embroiled in the events that led to the deaths, found themselves entangled in a web of violence and retribution. Despite attempts to intervene and portray themselves as innocent bystanders, the truth emerged during the court proceedings. The underlying fear and mistrust of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were revealed as a significant factor in the escalation of vigilante justice.
The court case surrounding Calvin and Thabo’s deaths shed light on the complex interplay between community violence, personal vendettas, and systemic failures in the criminal justice system. The pervasive belief that the police are ineffective or corrupt has led many citizens to take matters into their own hands, resulting in a cycle of violence and retribution.
Ultimately, “Why We Kill” exposes the dark underbelly of South Africa’s new vigilantism, painting a grim picture of a society where justice is often swift, brutal, and unforgiving. As the nation grapples with the consequences of unchecked vigilantism, the book serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and rehabilitation in the country’s justice system.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
