Why citizens turn to vigilante justice

If citizens of this country are to be persuaded to not take justice into their own hands, then the relevant authorities should first convince them that justice will prevail. There is nothing worse than having a member of your family or other loved ones hurt or killed by heartless criminals who refuse to earn an honest day’s work.

Losing a family member by any means of violence is something you can never come to terms with, and neither can you ever be prepared for your reaction in that situation, especially when the perpetrators are within reach. We have heard too many times of complaints where victims of various crimes call a police station for help but the officers either turn up days later or not at all. In fact, there are reported situations where the victims chased and apprehended the suspects and were abused by the officers who accused them of wanting to do their jobs.

Chances are, with the lack of timely police response, they never would have caught the suspects, thereby allowing the criminals to run free and commit further crimes. It has now become clear that unless there are multiple murders on the scene, then officers will not even respond. Police officers have sworn to protect and serve all law-abiding citizens regardless of colour, creed or race, so that they will feel a sense of security. In the absence of that security, all victims of crimes will have no alternative but to do what is necessary to protect their families.

Vashti Bowlah
Via e-mail