ON THE MOST SERIOUS NOTE

ON THE MOST SERIOUS NOTE

The activities bordering on insurrection as recently observed unfolding in South Africa, have exposed the extent of vulnerability of the South African state and her people. Interestingly, a majority of commentators on the subject have been silent on the capacity of government and its commitment to the people. Listening to opinions from a variety of corners, one was left bemused as to how a few individuals would plan, incite and execute such an insurrection without any detection by the Intelligence agency. Though not expressed, the President was angry at how the Intelligence agencies together with the law enforcement agencies were absent when the country’s defence capability was exposed by individuals who after the situation has calmed down, are yet to be arrested. This happening at a time when right next door, our neighbors are grappling with the Isil offensive. Previously in this very information line I wrote about acts of electricity theft which are continuing under the noses of Eskom, the municipalities, justice and the police. As is recorded, acts of electricity theft are costing the country billions in rands and on that alone, one would have expected that by now there would have been a multi-response initiative constituted by the DoE, Eskom, the municipalities, justice and the police. The fact that to date these criminal activities and there seem not to exist any plan to put an end to this criminal activity and to protect those law abiding citizens who as they pay for their consumption, unbeknown to them they are also subsidising those who continue to steal.
Since the repeal of the Electricity Theft Act, it seems the government has not been able to introduce a legislation broadly focused on the activity of electricity theft and ensuring that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted. To date, it has not been made known as to which extent are the illegal consumers a threat to the economy. Or this is another case of government saying “we can’t do anything” as was the case when the police stood by and watched the looting and burning of strategic economic points?
I had in the same piece made reference to activities of illegal mining in areas operating mines. Notwithstanding the existing legislation, we’ve seen how these activities have been allowed to persist without any attempt to curb or stop them. Given that the illegal miners are usually armed with high caliber arms, communities have seen little or no attempts at all aimed at confronting the participants in the acts of illegal mining. As it stands, those who happen to reside in areas located next to the mining areas, would attest to the increase of participants of this crime. Of course had there been attempts to confront these activities, making it difficult fof participants to engage in such, the numbers would not have increased.
While acts of illegal mining it may seem, do not qualify as serious offences as when compared to looting, our law enforcement agencies seem to equally downplay the threat posed by illegal miners through their possession of unlicensed high calibre firearms. Over the years, we have observed how individuals in our localities have been amassing wealth through ill-gotten means. Many who have never had a steady employment in their lifetime becoming modern day role models through activities of card swindling. These individuals have gone to purchase expensive vehicles and houses while graduates remain in the hope that opportunities will one day come their way. These individuals happen to be former school mates and neighbors of members of the police force.
The above scenarios are but examples of criminal activities with a bearing on the economy which have been allowed to persist unabated.
The admission by the Minister of Police of inadequate police personnel during the recent destruction of malls in townships, does explain why crimes as those mentioned above, have become recognised professions.
Not just the President. But the entire South African nation must be disappointed at how the country was allowed to sink into such deep a hole of chaos.
Unless the President acts and acts fast, or risk our security being described as “a endless vista of false teeth with nothing to bite”. It cannot be correct for Ministers to invoke the President’s name while on the one hand they are surrendering the nation’s security and in their justification, formulate artistic rhetoric in “we have received names of instigators”. Sounds like some fascination with power.
There is a saying which goes; “you cannot shake hands with a clenched fist”. In a society such as ours, where 74% of our youth and 47.9% of Africans occupy the bracket of the unemployed, there clearly exist an affront to the Constitution. The recent activities sadly, are bound to lead to an increase of those falling within this bracket. The government’s programme of social transformation needs to find the people’s embrace and allow the 74% of unemployed youth and 47.9% of unemployed Africans to equally protect and advance its objectives which by their very nature, should be achievable for their benefit and in their lifetime. South Africa prides herself of a people whose patience has been evident since the dawn of democracy. That is the patience they displayed when notwithstanding poverty and unemployment which affects them, they chose a cause which is just which was to defend the local points of economic activity. Who should therefore fall for the situation we now find ourselves in as a country? The President was correct in calling for the arrest and prosecution of the instigators of these activities. In case of failure on our part to act as per the President’s directive, we must accept that the bell has rung for our flag.
It is unfortunate that those members of the community who were arrested for looting now have to be tried as criminals. There is no nation that finds delight in burdening its citizenry with criminal records. Instead, nations find their strength in the number of patriots ready to lay their lives for the flag.
While there seem to be an agreement on the prosecution of both the instigators and those found looting, speakers on the subject have shied away from commenting on steps to be taken against those shown to have been guilty of dereliction of duty by not foreseeing this occurrence and acting timeously to arrest it in defence of our democracy.
For the masses of South Africans, this presented an opportunity for them to show the world the extent to which they are prepared to go in defending our democracy. Out of their love for their country and her people, they did rise and turned themselves into human shields protecting infrastructure in their respective localities. Their actions motivated government leaders including those whom when it was expected of them to act, had failed their constitutional obligations.
As the late former President of Zambia once said, that “The moment you have protected an individual, you have protected society”. For this purpose, I find it proper to extend the line by adding; the moment you protect society you have protected democracy. Hence the question; what steps should be taken against those who failed in their duties to detect and prevent such occurrences.
The beauty of South Africa is that while her people do not require persuasion towards harmonious living, still they find no harmony in living in poverty and with such levels of unemployment as these present an affront to the Constitution.
The people have confirmed their unsaid Oath to the country and had through that very act, confirmed their love of their country and respect for the constitution. As for those elected, some should fall by their sword.
Phillip Darkie Mbanyana is the Director of Darkie Mbanyana Solutions and also a former law practictioner and a community activist writing in his personal capacity.

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