The eyes of the world were on South Africa for about ten months the trial of Oscar Pistorius lasted. It was reported as one of the most watched media events in recent history, even surpassing popular sports such as soccer world cup. The climax was on 22 October when the presiding judge pronounced a sentence on the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp by the accused. Oscar was consequently sentenced to 5 years imprisonment which is subject to parole after 10 months. Basically, Oscar may be a free man in ten month time.
The ripple effect of the verdict was felt across the society with some sections denouncing the verdict as too lenient while others praise it for being punitive enough considering Oscar’s status and his physical challenges. The verdict generated debate about the administration of law and judicial system of South Africa. In so far as I’m not a legal luminary and will refrain from casting aspersion on the verdict, it was however clear from public discourse that the verdict did not sit well with many, if not the majority of the citizens.
A few days ago, an Olympian and athlete, Mbulaeni Malaudzi died in a fatal car crash. In as much as his tragic death could not be ascribed to violent crime, it was nonetheless, an inevitably avoidable death. Just when the society was still mourning the death of Malaudzi, the news of another shocking death hit the waves. Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirate choice goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa was reportedly shot dead by gunmen during a burglary according to police.
As these celebrity deaths have taken the headlines recently, it simply highlights what has been a common place in post-Apartheid South Africa. Such violent crimes occur daily in South Africa society. Two distinct schools of thoughts have evolved over the increasing cause of violent crimes in the society. One: violent crimes are a result of historical and past injustices and two, the high rate of violent crime is associated with the lenient justice system that does not provide adequate deterrence or commensurate punishment for crimes such as murder and rape.
One should not be under the illusion that crime is only synonymous with South Africa. Crimes are committed virtually in all countries and every habitable geographical space on earth. However, the violent nature of crimes in South Africa is alarming and skyrocketing by the day. It will be misleading to assume poverty and past injustices are the sole drivers of violent crimes as propounded by the first school of thought. There are countries with far poorer population and heavily brutal regime either past or present, yet the rates of violent crimes are much lower.
I will align myself with the second school of thought that violent crimes are mainly driven by lack of deterrence. It will not be a bad idea if the government considers re-introducing capital punishment for such crime like murder. Policy makers should come to the reality that some individuals are inherently vicious and evil. No amount of law-abiding tax payers’ money spent on rehabilitation could bring about meaningful behavioural changes for such people. Again, the issue of human right comes to fore. A good question for Right activists is “where is the right of the murdered?”
Society should be built on collective rights; a shared mutual respects for one another. A situation where the accused or guilty has more rights than the murdered is simply not the way to go.
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