South Africa's real crisis isn't crime -it's lawlessness

LAWLESSNESS, not crime, will be the demise of us. And when you understand the difference, you'll agree.

- BRAD NATHANSON

Crime is committed by criminals. Lawlessness, on the other hand, flourishes when ordinary people begin to break the law because they no longer fear consequences. This happens when a state becomes too weak, too slow, or too indifferent to enforce its own laws. That is where we are now. If we don’t return to basics, we will lose what little is left.

We need to enforce the law. But how? With what resources?

There are not enough police vehicles. That is a fact. A police officer with the best intentions will be failed by a justice system that allows endless postponements until the case is eventually withdrawn. The complainant gives up. Hope is gone.

The police cannot keep up. They are understaffed, under-resourced, and underpaid. What incentive do they have? Minimum wage and no support. And who benefits from the endless delays? Someone is getting paid, because in the justice system, time costs money.

Criminals know how to frustrate the process. They use delay as a weapon. For them, time works in their favour.