OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Thursday 5.30pm.
JUSTICE Minister Dullah Omar appealed on Thursday for greater community participation in apprehending criminals but was careful to steer away from a sanction of vigilantism. He said community anti-crime actions should take place within the law.
Addressing a conference of the Community Dispute Resolution Trust in Cape Town, Omar said that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report released last October revealed that apartheid security forces were behind the establishment of gangs and vigilante groups.
“The difficult process of eliminating gangsterism, criminality, violence and vigilantism is one in which we must all participate,” he said.
The minister added that the Constitution recognised the right of people to use force in self-defence and to defend their homes and families. “Our Constitution recognises the right to self-defence and the right to subdue with as much force as may be necessary,” Omar said.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier Mathole Motshekga and safety and security MEC Paul Mashatile will visit Ivory Park and Rabie Ridge townships on Friday to monitor the establishment of block and street committees, formed in terms of community-based crime prevention strategies following a series of lynchings of criminal suspects.
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