Something is amiss with this country and its justice system. The dream of a prosperous nation that we all envisioned at the dawn of democracy is fast slipping through our fingers.
Democracy brought too many good things, especially for the oppressed majority of this country. One of those benefits is meant to be equality before the law. Yet this remains a distant reality for most people.
The law seems to favour the rich. Those who can afford the most expensive lawyers or advocates.
The highly controversial bombshells dropped by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, alleging wrongdoings and interference in police work, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Every South African, especially those who have been victims of a poor justice system, is now waiting with bated breath to see or hear what comes out of Mkhwanazi’s explosive revelations over the weekend. If his claims are true South Africa is going down the drain unless urgent remedial actions are taken.
For years questions have been raised about our justice system. In its defence the judiciary regularly blames the police for flawed investigations. However, when one talks to the police there is a sense of frustration in terms of how hard they work for the judiciary to release the suspects.
This is cold comfort for people such as Mkhwanazi who are on the frontline in the fight against crime. These people put their lives on the line to protect ordinary South Africans. They go to places where few people would dare. They go to ganglands to confront armed criminals in creating safer communities. Their good work is overshadowed by lawlessness within the system. People in suits and the highest offices in the land make highly questionable decisions. Victims often do not get closure while alleged perpetrators go scot-free. In most scenarios the perpetrators go back to society and resume their torment of other people.
While I am not certain about the circumstances that led to the release of the accused in the 2023 killing of Gugulethu Community Policing Forum (CPF) deputy chair Lulama ‘Guffy’ Dinginto serious questions remain.
We have been told that Lungile Anthony Madolo was released a few days before a deadly mass shooting in Gugulethu. I am sure most people thought he was still in jail or police custody. To hear that someone who was arrested in connection with her death has been out and roaming the very streets raises concerns about the effectiveness of our justice system. There must be a concerted effort to close all the loopholes, otherwise we are doomed to lie at the mercy of criminals. When people such as Mkhwazi feel they are failed by those in power, who are we to expect fairness in the system?
