Why is there no faith in our justice system?
Why do people have questions about South Africa’s legal system? Why do we always suspect conspiracies, fraud or just plain lying? The reason is pretty complex, but let me try and offer some explanations.
In the justice system today, we do not seem to have judges which set a good example to society. Firstly we have had the whole Judge Hlope fiasco and we seem to be moving on to the complaints about Judge Siraj Desai. These are the top judges in the country being called into question.
We also have people like Judge Nkola Motata and his drunk driving charges. Did he set a good example for the rest of society? I think not.
Looking towards law enforcement we have similar questions. Currently there are questions regarding Selebi’s activities in organised crime. We don’t even have to mention all the drama that constantly surrounds Robert McBride!
The NPA is no better with all the questions surrounding Pikoli and the interference of the state in NPA affairs.
These are all top people who should be leading by example. These are people who should be above reproach. But matters do get worse!
The top law enforcement agency, the Scorpions, have now been implicated in a whole host of shady dealings and corruption. This is meant to be the agency to get rid of the corruption! Just take a look at Scorpions advocate Portia Kgantsi’s recent conviction.
Local policing is seen as being ineffective and corrupt. Stories of cops being involved in corruption, prostitution, cash-in-transit robberies, armed robbery etc. This is law enforcement on our grassroots level and people have no faith in it.
At all levels in the justice and law enforcement agencies there are serious problems that do not seem to be addressed.
Having a look at the justice system in all its aspects, is it any wonder why people do not trust the police or the courts? This situation is ripe for rumours of conspiracy, fraud and corruption.
The problem is, it is within the realms of possibility that these people could just be right!
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October 15th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I have been noticing with anticipation how unreliable and frightening the South African justice system has become. However, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions about the incompetencies of the law officials. I have come to realize that there is no one, atleast in South Africa, who is willing to blow the whistle when crime is committed, but only a few brave ones can do that. And we have so-called “comrades” who are habitually coming up with stale and boring statements like “the previous government did this and this is the reason why we experience corruption”, rubbish. Judge Motata and the ANC ex-whip Mbulelo Goniwe are not or were not part of the previous government but they are corrupt. The metro police are always doing shady deals. How can you expect protection and justice from these people? Think again South Africa. The bomb is ticking.
It is unfortunate that most of South Africans rely so much on being fooled by politics. Not long ago many people were promised jobs, houses, service delivery and the whole earth, but there are still backlogs. People are still suffering to get clean water and sanitation. Young people, okay let me say educated young people, black and white are unemployed. The only news that we hear on the the media are mainly about the President of this country and his estranged deputy Mr. Zuma. Why are we (young people) being ignored as if we don’t exist? We see a lot of young people turning into crime because there seems to be no hope for tomorrow. Our schools and surburbs are not safe anymore. We have so many ‘Goliaths’ roaming around wanting to kill anyone they don’t like. They do that with confidence, and they know that they will be told to go home because they are too young to be kept in jail. I guess that is what called democracy. I would rather choose God instead of this or that political party.
So, in natural fact we can’t boldly say the justice system of this country is doing wonders for its citizens. I am afraid to say that justice system here doesn’t seem to be making any difference for people. You can’t expect a judge to set a good example for the future judges. The morals are so low in that an old and decent political figure would force a young girl for sex. My message is mainly directed to a lot of young South Africans to start doing things for themselves. This is the best platform for all of us to start writing encouraging and uplifting words. We need to build a strong foundation of this country by saying words that will build our nation. Crime and corruption don’t build a country but they break it. Young people, this is our country and we need to have educated and ethical leaders for tomorrow. This country can be safe like Denmark or Switzerland. Everything depends on us. We should start looking beyond colour and race. We should not be fighting that battle anymore. We have seen a lot of people dying because of that battle. Justice or no justice system, we should make this place a better place for all of us.