When the law fails to serve us, we must serve as the law!Community Perspective on Public Vigilantism in Limpopo Province

Ndivho Percy Sithuga and Kholofelo Rakubu
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Ndivho Percy Sithuga: Lecturer, Department of Criminal Justice, School of Law, University of Venda, South Africa
Kholofelo Rakubu: Department of Safety and Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology. Aubrey Matlakala Street, Soshanguve, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 2023, vol. 12, issue 2, 539-546

Abstract: South Africa and its policing system have been experiencing several incidents of vigilantism where community members partook in killing and administering “instant justice†to persons caught red-handed or suspected of engaging in criminal activities. Vigilantism has become a critical problem for the government, community members, and society. The study explores community perception regarding the incidents of vigilantism perpetuated in Thohoyandou and Musina within Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province. The study adopted an exploratory qualitative methodology. A non-random sampling that included purposive and snowball sampling was used to select the participants. Semi-structured interviews, observation and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic data analysis. The study concludes that vigilantism is now an acute daily occurrence in South Africa. As such, it has brought some negative implications, loss of life, destruction of property, effects on the welfare of children and a vicious cycle of crime. Even though the criminal justice system is the scapegoat for all this, community members point to unemployment, poverty, and alcohol and drug abuse as some of the causes of vigilantism. The article recommends collaboration between state parties and the communities in the administration of justice to fight vigilantism. Key Words:Crime, Criminal, lynching, mob justice Vigilantism, violence, killings

Date: 2023
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