Crime and violence continue to devastate communities across South Africa, particularly on the Cape Flats, where a surge in gang shootings has claimed dozens of lives in recent months.
Amid the bloodshed, some residents argue that vigilantism has become a necessary response to crime. A recent VOC News poll found that 73% of respondents believe vigilantism is justified when the justice system fails.
Crime analyst Willem Els said the public sentiment is to be expected given the circumstances.
“This is not surprising, in the light of the situation in the Western Cape, where we also see that there is now a petition for the provincial commissioner to resign. The inability, incapacity, or unwillingness of the police in many cases to fulfil their mandate has created space for growing public dissatisfaction. Unfortunately, vigilantism is one of the natural outcomes when that happens,” he explained.
Listen to the full interview with Els below:
Security and intelligence analyst David Africa described the trend as a reflection of residents’ growing frustration and desperation.
“It’s entirely understandable that such a large majority of people feel vigilantism is justified. It reflects desperation with the failure of the state to provide its most fundamental responsibility, citizen security. While communities feel something has to be done, vigilantism does not produce sustainable peace,” he cautioned.
Listen to the full interview with Africa below:
VOC News
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