Mkhwanazi’s War on Crime: Public Approval and Consequences

Malaika Mahlatsi’s thought-provoking piece on the implications of KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s aggressive campaign against crime highlights a crucial dilemma for South Africa’s constitutional democracy. While the immediate public sentiment may celebrate the deaths of criminals like Philangenkosi Makhanya—who was gunned down following a brutal crime against a young woman—the long-term repercussions of such extrajudicial actions raise alarms. Mahlatsi expertly outlines the precarious balance between the quest for justice in a society grappling with rampant crime, and the potential descent into a culture where the rule of law is undermined. The glorification of police violence, she argues, sets a dangerous precedent that erodes fundamental rights protected by the Constitution, including the right to due process and the sanctity of life. This cycle of vigilantism, albeit against those viewed as deserving, could easily spiral out of control, leading to innocent lives lost in the wake of public approval for unlawful state actions.

Furthermore, Mahlatsi’s analysis sheds light on the complexities of crime in South Africa, where systemic failures in law enforcement and the judicial system have bred a pervasive culture of violence and eroded trust. With statistics indicating a disturbing rise in gender-based violence and low conviction rates for serious crimes, the community’s call for vengeance grows louder. While the police’s “shoot to kill” strategy may initially seem like a means to provide immediate relief for victims of violence, it ultimately circumvents the essential processes of justice that enable healing for families and communities alike. As Mahlatsi poignantly suggests, the consequences extend far beyond individual cases, as families are left with unresolved grief and society is deprived of crucial information that could help solve broader patterns of violence. The fight against crime, therefore, cannot simply be reduced to the elimination of perceived offenders; it necessitates addressing deeper societal issues and fostering trust in legal processes to ensure true justice is served.

Mahlatsi further warns against the normalization of extrajudicial killings, arguing that the perception of justice through such means could lead society into dangerous territory. The potential for a slippery slope emerges, where the definition of ‘criminal’ expands, capturing not only the guilty but also political opponents and marginalized communities. This alarming prospect echoes historical patterns seen in other nations where state violence became systemic, often under the guise of addressing criminality. Her critique serves as a clarion call for South Africans to reconsider the applause often given to law enforcement actions that reside outside constitutional norms. In a climate of fear and retribution, the core tenets of democracy must be steadfastly defended; the right to life and the pursuit of justice must prevail over the desperation to punish. The conversation around crime in South Africa is not merely about immediate safety but is fundamentally linked to the preservation of democratic ideals and collective humanity.

Summary

Malaika Mahlatsi raises serious concerns about the growing trend of extrajudicial killings by the police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), framed as a response to rampant crime but threatening democratic principles. Following the murder of a postgraduate student, public approval for the police’s killing of her alleged murderer signifies a dangerous precedent, where violence is celebrated as justice. However, Mahmantsi warns that such actions risk emboldening law enforcement to execute innocents and political adversaries in the future, undermining constitutional rights and the rule of law. Despite the overwhelming crime and systemic failures of the justice system in South Africa, these police killings do not provide genuine justice or closure for victims’ families and instead suggest that the real solutions lie in reforming the criminal justice system and addressing the root causes of crime.