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Group rule: Members of Operation Dudula march in Hillbrow. (Mohamed Shiraaz/Getty Images)

The hell that is vigilantism

An edited extract from Karl Kemp’s new book Why We Kill: Mob Justice and the New Vigilantism in South Africa

Billboard in Freetown, Sierra Leone reads “Ebola, Survivors are our Heroes & Heroines. Stop The Stigma !!!”

Africa in brief: August 21 – 28

What’s been happening on the continent this week?

Mourners carry the coffins of the men who were burnt alive in broad daylight through Ibrahim Babangida Square in Benue. The men were burnt to death allegedly because they looked like Fulani herders.

Mob justice grips central Nigeria

Clashes between farmers and nomadic herders have resulted in violent retribution

Clashes between alleged criminals and community patrollers are said to have led to the deaths of 18 people in Nyanga township and the Marikana settlement.

Marikana community patrollers face continued attacks after deadly shooting

Community patrollers in the Philippi East informal settlement in the Western Cape are "tired of begging" for police.

Nhlanhla Nene

As mob justice scars linger, Etwatwa rallies to blow the whistle on crime

A community in Etwatwa, where people have turned to vigilante justice, has reached a tenuous agreement with police but anguished hearts remain

Some people interviewed by the Daily Vox say they support mob justice

Mob justice: ‘Yes, I would join in to protect my community’

The Daily Vox asked Jo’burgers what their thoughts are on vigilantism and whether the death penalty should be brought back

Mob storms India prison, lynches rape suspect

One other person was killed as police and the mob clashed after the suspect was dragged out of prison and killed.

Khutsong: This is what happens to criminals here

Khutsong residents say they had to resort to killing and necklacing six alleged gangsters because police have done nothing to stop crime in the area.

Intelligence-driven operations in Cape Town’s suburbs have led to wanted suspects being arrested and illegal drugs confiscated in a pre-festive season police clampdown.
Video

North West cops shocked at video footage of mob attack

North West police commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo expressed shock after viewing cellphone video footage of a man being killed by a mob.

Gang vigilantism has plagued the Social Justice Coalition

Khayelitsha violence: Police accused of attacking teens

Officers are allegedly targeting everyone in their path as gang violence among teenagers rises in Khayelitsha. Victoria John reports.

Social activist Angy Peter. (David Harrison, M&G)

Mob justice blamed on police failure

Anxious residents have prodded Western Cape authorities to find out why crime is flourishing. Glynnis Underhill reports.

Mob justice claims two lives

Two suspected stock thieves were beaten to death in Ceguwana village, Butterworth police said on Tuesday.

I have a burning desire

What else should the disgruntled do? When they bare their bums, they are criticised for bringing our freedom into disrepute.