Mr. Mazibuko explains that before crime affected him personally, he thought that the 'Huntleys' who complain about crime, and the refusal of the State and Security Forces to protect people, was justthe concoctions by those hell-bent on demoralising our society and undermining our hard-fought democracy.
Then one of South Africa's ANC sponsored criminals, kindly gave him a personal Smith and Wesson, Wake Up Call! Being Black of course, he did not get the added 'Afrikaner Only Treatment' of bloody walls with 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer' Torture Treatment...
Irrespective, now he is singing quite a different tune.....The state has rightfully proclaimed the role of safety and security as the situation deteriorates by the day. One of the government’s prime responsibilities should be the safety, security and health of its people. If this fundamental right is not upheld, then surely we as citizens should have the constitutional right to protect ourselves.
Further below, Jenny opines about President Zuma's new 800 crime Hotline... with:And poor Brandon Huntley if he ever tries to call. “Thank you for calling. For a one-way ticket to Canada, please visit your nearest SAA office. Don’t forget to take the mandatory kilogram of cocaine, and share it with the flight staff. Please never call back because we are actually unwilling to help you either way.”
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Fear is not freedom
By Sipho Mazibuko, ThoughtLeader
As a recent victim of crime, though indirectly, I initially denied the statistics. Some appeared as mere concoctions by those hell-bent on demoralising our society and undermining our hard-fought democracy. As with almost everything, we don’t believe … until it happens to you.
Hoodlums, criminals, thugs, rapists — all brings feelings of hatred, anger, and resentment for most of us, partly towards the criminals and partly towards those said to protect society, the police and the government.
Vigilantism is reminiscent of the old Wild West days, when communities did whatever it took to protect their loved ones and their property. This type of action luckily does not exist, neither in the West nor here in the South or anywhere else for that matter. This role has been relinquished to the government, as it should, as per the laws and Constitution of our country.
The state has rightfully proclaimed the role of safety and security as the situation deteriorates by the day. One of the government’s prime responsibilities should be the safety, security and health of its people. If this fundamental right is not upheld, then surely we as citizens should have the constitutional right to protect ourselves.
What is our prerogative as citizens when taking the law into your own hands is frowned upon as vigilantism? Is this the end of our world as we know it? A world where people drown in pools of their own of blood, where women are raped and killed, where you cannot walk down the street without fearing for your life. Black or white.
The fundamental right to life, freedom and security, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, is disregarded by those masquerading as victims of poverty and whatever excuse they can think of.
Do we harbour criminals in the form of our brothers, uncles and fathers? If so then we are not only perpetuating crime but are the criminals themselves. Yet we sit back while voices play out in our heads that this is not how life was meant to be. How is this freedom when we are not free? When we constantly drive, walk, sleep and live in fear.
Thugs, criminals, rapists, murderers are not born of poverty stricken backgrounds, they are born of a society of ills, a society of callousness.
Indeed one can encourage or condone an exodus into a new form of exile, but when we run we take the fear with us.
Sipho Mazibuko is a financial officer and president of the Young Intellectuals Society
Source: Thought Leader
0800-president
by Jenny Thorpe, Thought Leader
The hotline to the presidency was launched yesterday. The toll-free number is manned by 43 officials (yes, that is about 1 person for a million South Africans) who will then be responsible for seeing that the complaints raised are addressed, or at least that the respondents are held up to date on how their issue is being dealt with. I can almost hear the Disney music as we turn the page to a new chapter in the South African story.
It seems very tempting … doesn’t it? The idea that you could call on up and have your say, and that something will be done about it. Those potholes in the road, the electricity shortages, the high prices, the lack of jobs, the lack of adequate health care … and now you don’ t have to bore your friends with your endless complaints about the lack of water supply to your house, shack or mansion. You can complain to our president, or at least to the presidency.
What would the response be if I called up and asked why we’ve decided not to make a commitment to trying to save our climate? “Thank you for calling, we will see if you problem can be dealt with before the hole in the ozone sucks you up.”
What would the response be if I phoned to complain about the startling levels of sexual violence? “Thank you for calling. We will deal with your issue shortly. But remember, do not wear a short skirt or play with traditional values.”
What would the response be if I phoned and asked why out of the past 6 meetings in Parliament that I’ve been to, have there always been less than 50% of committee MPs present? “Thank you for calling. Unfortunately none of our national MPs can come to the phone right now. Please try again later. Or contact them on their larney car phone if you can get through.”
And poor Brandon Huntley if he ever tries to call. “Thank you for calling. For a one-way ticket to Canada, please visit your nearest SAA office. Don’t forget to take the mandatory kilogram of cocaine, and share it with the flight staff. Please never call back because we are actually unwilling to help you either way.”
Pardon me if I’m a bit cynical but I’m not sure how these 43 people are going to make a difference. People already know what the issues are, they are reported daily on the news and in the media. Everyone knows that service delivery is poor. I feel like there is someone holding up a swinging pendulum and hoping that the masses will be hypnotised at the prospect of getting through to the hotline, rather than attending local and municipal meetings to encourage their leaders to actually enact change. It’s just another sedative to social change led from the ground up, and an attempt by the government to con us into thinking that they are going to make a difference.
Not that I’m complaining …
Source: ThoughtLeader
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