SAPS discovered seven bodies burned in the Diepsloot township of South Africa due to suspected mob justice.
Diepsloot, which means ‘deep ditch’ in Afrikaans, is one of the most dangerous places to visit in South Africa with rampant crime.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo discussed the gory case of vigilantism.
SA Diepsloot community suspected of mob justice
On 01 December 2023, police were alerted about two burnt bodies and another five bodies were discovered early Saturday morning. SABC News reported that the discovered bodies had been assaulted before being burned. The five bodies were found on a pile of bricks which indicates mob justice.
The bodies belonged to young men in their early twenties who were gathered, tied, and set ablaze in a bonfire from hell. Authorities are investigating the incident, but this has done little to nothing to reassure citizen safety and security.
Established in 1995, Diepsloot served as a transit camp for Zevenfontein’s displaced residents. The township is located in Region A of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and is home to some of the country’s highest crime statistics.
Diepsloot community feels unsafe
The incident has left a lot of citizens feeling unsafe as the effects of mob justice threaten any form of security the citizens had. This wouldn’t be the first incident, as the area is notorious for crime.
Citizens called out and asked for more protection as they felt that the district had been abandoned by law enforcement officials. SABC News reports that the residents had protests criticising the slow reaction rate and the ineffective strategies that the police enforce. Locals take note of how most police officers keep to the main roads on patrol and are distracted by the nightlife the district has to offer.
Why is vigilantism rife in Southern Africa?
Countries in the vast region have been left to grapple with vigilantism, most commonly known as Mob Justice. The inefficiency of law enforcement and a lack of resources have left some members of society to take matters into their own hands.
Solutions rely on the better allocation of resources as vigilantism stagnates the economy by creating a lawless state of circumstances that threatens to kill any of the accused in a traumatic way.