Why We Kill: Mob Justice and the New Vigilantism in South Africa

Why We Kill explores the roots, realities, and consequences of South Africa's current crisis of vigilantism, which has seen an unprecedented number of murders attributed to mob justice and vigilantism in recent years. The book draws on extensive research and interviews to understand the factors that have contributed to this phenomenon and its impact on society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2024
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa

==============================================================
South Africa is currently facing a crisis of vigilantism, with over 27,000 recorded murders in 2022, and at least 1,894 attributed to mob justice and vigilantism. This is a significant increase from five years before, and the trend has continued into 2023, with a further 1,472 mob justice deaths registered in the first nine months of the year. Mob justice is not a new phenomenon in South Africa, but it has taken on a particularly desperate and furious edge in recent years. Recent cases of mob justice, such as the Zandspruit massacre in May 2021, the killings during the July unrest, and the march of Operation Dudula, have captured the zeitgeist of South Africa and highlighted the urgent need to address the issue.

Why We Kill explores the roots, realities, and consequences of South Africa's current crisis of vigilantism. The book draws on extensive research and interviews with individuals involved in mob justice, as well as experts in the field. The authors argue that the crisis of vigilantism is rooted in a combination of factors, including poverty, inequality, and a lack of trust in the police. They also highlight the role of social media in amplifying mob justice incidents and the lack of accountability for those who engage in it.

One of the key findings of Why We Kill is that mob justice is often driven by a sense of revenge and a desire for justice. Many South Africans believe that the police are unable or unwilling to provide them with the justice they deserve, and as a result, they turn to mob justice to seek retribution. However, the authors argue that mob justice is not a sustainable solution to crime and that it can have devastating consequences for both the victims and the perpetrators.

One of the most significant consequences of mob justice is the loss of life. Mob justice incidents often result in multiple deaths, and the victims are often innocent bystanders. In the Zandspruit massacre, for example, a group of men attacked a group of women and children, killing 10 people, including two children. In the July unrest, a group of protesters attacked a police station, killing 11 people, including two police officers.

Mob justice also has a significant impact on the community. It can create a sense of fear and insecurity, and it can lead to the displacement of communities. In the case of Operation Dudula, a group of migrants were targeted by a mob of South Africans, and many of them were forced to leave their homes and communities.

In addition to the loss of life and the impact on the community, mob justice can also have a negative impact on the rule of law. Mob justice incidents often occur outside of the legal system, and they can undermine the authority of the police. This can lead to a breakdown in law and order, and it can make it difficult for the police to investigate and prosecute crimes.

To address the crisis of vigilantism in South Africa, the authors of Why We Kill recommend a number of measures. These include increasing the number of police officers, improving the training of police officers, and increasing the accountability of police officers. They also recommend that the government should invest in social programs to address poverty and inequality, and that it should work to promote a culture of respect for the rule of law.

However, implementing these measures will be challenging. South Africa has a history of corruption and inefficiency, and it will be difficult to ensure that the police are properly trained and accountable. Additionally, the government will need to address the underlying social and economic issues that contribute to mob justice.

In conclusion, South Africa is currently facing a crisis of vigilantism, with over 27,000 recorded murders in 2022 and at least 1,894 attributed to mob justice and vigilantism. The crisis is rooted in a combination of factors, including poverty, inequality, and a lack of trust in the police. Mob justice is often driven by a sense of revenge and a desire for justice, but it is not a sustainable solution to crime and can have devastating consequences for both the victims and the perpetrators. To address the crisis, the government should increase the number of police officers, improve the training of police officers, and increase the accountability of police officers. Additionally, the government should invest in social programs to address poverty and inequality, and it should work to promote a culture of respect for the rule of law.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 153 x 236 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781776390458