We live in a world of high electric walls, pepper sprays in hand bags, constantly being on the look out wherever you are, security alarms, tracking devices, fear, need for insurance… I can go on. A time where, parents now need to be extra careful when sending their young to get items at the shops and they must constantly check where their children’s whereabouts are when they play outdoors. We live in a world where our safety is a major concern wherever we go, where we live even when we are browsing the internet. Women still fear walking outside on their own because of what may happen when they come face to face with strangers. I now have to make peace with the fact that my son, one day, may ask me why did a young lady’s visit to a Cape Town post office in August 2019, led to her gruesome death? A year later, why was an eight month pregnant woman hung to death on a tree at Durban Deep? Or how the body parts of a 23 year old law student were found stuffed in suitcases that were found at a slumping site in East London during women’s month this year? Thankfully the perpetrators are behind bars – one serving three life sentences, others also charged with severe accounts of murder with one trial for the accused now set to commence in January next year. With the annual 16 days of activism campaign against women and children violence around the corner, it is important for all of us to reflect upon this.
Kidnappings on the rise
Police minister Bheki Cele, this week announced the rising number of kidnapping cases in the country as part of the quarterly crime statistics release. Sunday World (20/11/2021) reports that a total of 2000 kidnapping cases were reported in the three months between July and September of which 53 of were ransom cases and 13 were for extortion. This increase in kidnappings is attributed to organized criminal syndicates targeting wealthy businesspeople and families for financial rewards. Four Moti brothers from Limpopo were earlier abducted but returned unharmed. It is reported that the Moti family paid a ransom amount of R50 million for the boys’ safe return. The police ministry has said a special task team is in place to help all provinces get to the root cause of these kidnappings. The top two provinces on the kidnappings spotlight are KwaZulu Natal (407 cases) and Gauteng (729). With these rising numbers reported, are our police force losing the grip against crime? We need to be taken into confidence by how our police ministry when detailing strategies to tackle this scourge. As reported by News 24, the country’s latest crime statistics are showing an overall upwards trajectory which is concerning.
Recently, stories of people perpetuating violent crimes in South Africa, have dominated the current affairs landscape. On the last Sunday of the month of October, seven people succumbed to their injuries after a sudden shootout that took place in Kagiso, West Rand affecting ordinary folk, who were attending a wedding anniversary. Just recently, convicted former police woman Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu (46), was found guilty of six murders, including those of her own family relatives. She is convicted of all these gruesome murders for the purpose of cashing in on insurance policies. The court has since sentenced her to six life terms in prison – even her overdue excuse of an apology could not save her. Nothing justifies taking someone’s life, and what about lives for than matter? Her own family members and relatives and life partner? Uncalled for! May the prison bars treat this fallen police officer her well.
My personal encounter with crime
Well, I personally remember how unsettled we were at home when a break-in took place during the wee hours of the morning. I was still young at the time, maybe ten or twelve years of age somewhat. Luckily, no one got injured, the person who tried breaking in only managed to leave with a TV remote, after breaking the window, which enabled access. That was the last time I ever recall experiencing a house break-in. One other incident I recall vividly, was when I was en route to visiting my grandmother’s place in Diepkloof, Soweto. So from my mom’s place to the taxi stop, at that time was a ten to fifteen minute walk and it was in the afternoon. As I was walking to catch the taxi, a gentleman, driving a white car pulled over and seemed lost. He stopped me from my path and said he’s lost and needs some help. Me being the type of understanding person I am, I thought it was an innocent gentleman who merely wanted some help. So I stopped to interact with him. Looking back at the incident, I regret having stopped.
He came out of his car and started his whole story, nothing of which made sense at all to me and as a result, I could not assist and I told him that. Just a tip, more often than not, scanners or thieves often come with stories that completely don’t make sense and will confuse you. And the minute you’re confused, chances are high that it’s time to dash or not part take in trying to figure out the story at all. Run away if possible and don’t buy into anything. So when the gentleman, why do I even refer to him as one, realized that I was of no help but I sort of tried to help, he was thankful and gave me a big hug, which completely threw me off. I brushed the whole act off, thinking he was simply showing his gratitude. Then I continued with my walk to the taxi stop. I managed to get into the taxi and luckily, I thought of paying up quickly before I could forget, as it was a relatively long journey ahead from there onwards. And I realized that my wallet was missing. I had to ask the driver to stop for me to disembark as I had no money to pay up for the ride. Everyone looked at me like I was delusional but I confidently got out and walked back home again. My wallet went missing while that guy was giving me a hug. My leather wallet which had R100 note, gone. I learnt a lesson right there and then not to ever embrace strangers or get into small talk with them.
I enjoy helping people out, a lot. It gives me great joy to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. I’ve learnt to be cautious on that from an incident involving one of my uncles, who was one of the sweetest gentlemen I knew. He was doing some grocery shopping one day and as he left the store to his car, a group of strangers came up to him, asking for assistance. They needed a ride to the other side of town and were carrying some equipment that needed a bigger vehicle as effective transportation and it was clear that they were stranded. With my uncle owning a decently-sized van, and driving one on the day, he felt the need to assist. They also came with a confusing story which was good enough to get my uncle to agree to helping them. To his great dismay. Thankfully, he did not lose his life but when he got to the destination, he and the van were held hostage and robbed. He suffered some injuries as well. His wife, my aunt, had to pay a fee which ensured their safe return.
Mass shootings in Phoenix
According to Africanews, more than 30 people were killed three months ago in Phoenix, a small town in KwaZulu Natal. Majority of the people killed were black as the massacre was classified as racially based. This is a ripple effect of the nationwide violence that erupted in July, following the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma. Police have since arrested more than 50 people on counts of murder. To add more fuel to the damage caused on the ground, the country’s official opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, through their election campaign posters this year, has added more tension. The posters, strategically put up in the Phoenix town, have hailed those behind the violence as heroes when the ruling party has referred to them as racists. The posters have since been put down but the thought process from the DA which was behind such an electioneering tool are questionable for a nation as divided on race as ours. Now, 27 years into democracy, race-based violence is still a thing. It’s sad. When is the country waking up from this nightmare?
Looting unrests in July
Earlier this year, following the arrest of Former President Jacob Zuma, violence directed at mostly township shopping malls saw looting and various forms of criminal activities take place. The country saw shocking scenes of looting that I have never observed following the dawn of our democracy – it was like scenes out of a movie to be honest. Many, were claiming the rising levels of poverty as the cause of such acts but when one looks at the astonishing items stolen – couches, flat screen TVs and fridges to mention among many, it called into question the validity thereof the claims. How others were commenting, “The malls are all insured. They will soon be up and running.” as reasons why there should not be a cause for concern. One thing about the shopping malls, particularly in township areas, is how useful they have been to bridge an urban Geography concept called the range – which is defined as the minimum distance required to travel to obtain necessary goods and services. With these malls not in the picture, residents travel a longer distance, which comes with added costs and time constraints in order to access goods and services. Now with these malls in the picture, that distance is significantly reduced. Access to banks, ATMs, grocery and clothing shopping stores, furniture stores and pharmacies are now more than ever, more accessible to the people. People of the communities are also employed, which is welcomed relief for our ever rising unemployment rate. People also spend less money on transport to get to and from work.
For days, the livelihoods of many employed in the sector was negatively affected as a result of the looting incidents which to date, are being probed through the #Unrest Inquiry process. These also ironically, lasted for days, during a lockdown period where mass gatherings were prohibited as a method to curb the spread of Covid-19. These unrests happened immediately a day after the president called the popular ‘Family Meeting’ to address government’s response to Covid-19. The president also did not address the possibilities of violence on the cards in his speech, even after posts on social media were making the rounds, highlighting some dissatisfaction and planned protests countrywide over the recent arrest of former president Jacob Zuma. These posts spoke of the possibility of shutting down the country as a result. It’s only after the looting incidents occurred, that the president and his team quickly acted and gave a response to the public in the hope of curbing the violent acts that were taking place. These unrests were restricted, fortunately to two provinces – Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal and were not countrywide as reported by some news agencies. I live in the North West province and no unrests during that week occurred in my greater area.
In Soweto, for instance, Jabulani Mall was looted right in front of a Police station. The picture to me, does not make sense. Where police not able to prevent the violence, where they overpowered, and not adequately capacitated? How do criminal activities occur right in front of a police station? What impression does that give to people’s relation with such national key institutions meant to ensure and enforce safety and security overall in the country? Were these also merely acts of intent or criminality? I mean, getting into a mall and coming out with a 78 inch TV screen without having paid for it, seeks to suggest that blatant stealing was taking place regardless of the reasons behind the heightened emotions from some of the people as a result of the political events around the time.
Menlyn Mall break-in
Over a weekend in October as well, mastermind criminals robbed a jewellery store at the humongous Menlyn Mall in Pretoria. According to Rekord.co.za, three suspects are on the run following the shooting of two people during the robbery. What’s also interesting during this robbery was something a video on circulation following the incident captured. It sees two luxurious vehicles making their way out seamlessly out of the mall’s exit boom gate where there are spikes on the road, which often act as an extra security measure. The robbers were clever in arranging ramps that allowed both vehicles to drive over the spikes. This speaks to a syndicate that took time to study the area very well. With everything captured in the video courtesy of the CCTV footage, for around 28 seconds in length, surely it should make our authorities be able to get a headstart in getting the perpetrators of the crime nabbed? We wait in anticipation for the arrests.
A serial killer on the loose
City Press (20/11/2021) reports of serial killer incidents that have rocked Polokwane, a town in Limpopo. This comes as seven women have since lost their lives at the hands of the killer. The serial killer is noted to lure the women victims in by promising them employment opportunities to help them escape the dire economic circumstances that they find themselves in. The serial killer would then kidnap the victims and kill them. Fortunately, the killer (a 34 year old male) has been arrested and charged with the seven counts of murder but this has left the family members of the fallen victims still scarred.
Implications of Brand SA to the world
Stories like these put a dent on the good image of our country to the world. Our country s full of great potential. And crime is a pandemic to many other parts of the world as well, with some countries having a better grip on it through their tough law enforcement in place – is this not the time for us to learnt from the many safe countries of the world. Williamrussell.com through the World Risk Index (2020), lists Australia, Canada and Denmark as some of the safest countries in the world. Mzansi is no exception to crime and violence but the degree to which lawlessness is enforced, needs to be addressed. Although justice does eventually get served, the speed at which its wheels move needs to be expedited. What’s important is for our law and justice structures to tighten up and close all loose ends, as promptly as practically possible. No dragging of cases should be accepted. It should not be right that ordinary folk lose faith in how justice is to be served whenever it’s required. Missing people cases go on for months on end, dockets reportedly go missing, rape cases have loose ends that are also never tied, Gender based violence is also another scourge that we are grappling with as a nation and we need honest conversations on how we can map a collective way forward as a nation. This needs to come to an end. Where justice is required, it must be served. No one has the right to intentionally take the life of another. There needs to be a re-focused and energized approach on retaining the power, control and prestige to our law enforcement. The people of the country need this and our image to the rest of the world depends on it.
South Africa has a history of violence and crime against humanity that has resulted in trauma and bloodbath, all of which in pursuit of the freedom we all enjoy today. It’s important for us to never go back to that tragic past regardless of our emotions or how we feel about each other. We need to speak tough against lawlessness and those, regardless of nationality, that perpetuate it. Crime and violence should never be allowed to be a norm in our beautiful land.
Enough is enough.
References
Sunday World 21 November 2021 Edition
City Press Newspaper, 21 November 2021 Edition
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