IS THERE STILL TRUST IN JUSTICE SYSTEM?

The justice system is meant to be the backbone of any society, ensuring fairness, due process and the protection of human rights. But in many parts of the world, more and more people are questioning whether the system is truly serving justice: If it cares for the people or exists merely as a necessary part of a functioning society.

Delayed court cases, corruption and leniency towards criminals have left many frustrated, prompting communities to take matters into their own hands. As mob justice becomes more frequent, one has to ask: Is it a desperate act of self-defence or is there still hope for the legal system to regain the people’s trust? The trending story of Cwecwe on social media has triggered many emotions and questions of the world we live in.

Challenges

For decades, the justice system has been plagued by numerous challenges, including corruption, inefficiency and lack of resources, and this is the case in almost any other country you can think of. These problems have resulted in delays in court proceedings, a backlog of cases and, in some instances, the wrongful release of criminals. For victims of crime, waiting years for justice can be disheartening, especially when they see criminals walking free due to legal technicalities or police incompetence. To experience first-hand your desperation for justice being met by inconsiderate policies and a lack of urgency is heart-breaking.

One of the major issues leading to distrust is the perception that the justice system favours those with financial and political influence. Money makes the world go around. High-profile corruption cases involving government officials and business moguls often take years to conclude or sometimes disappear into thin air, with many of the accused evading serious punishment. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens, especially those from marginalised communities, feel they do not receive the same protection under the law. They must fight tooth and nail to get the justice they deserve or find answers. The resources they pay for through tax do not serve the low income bracket.

Resorting

As trust in the justice system diminishes, communities are increasingly resorting to mob justice as a desperate response to crime. The concept of mob justice is not new, but its prevalence in recent years has reached concerning levels. Frustrated residents feel that their actions are justified, because they believe law enforcement is either unwilling or unable to protect them.

When the law fails to protect the people it is responsible for, it becomes unreliable. The rationale behind mob justice is rooted in the belief that swift and brutal punishment serves as a deterrent to crime. In many townships and rural areas where police response times are slow, people feel they have no choice but to take immediate action against suspected criminals.

While the frustration that fuels mob justice is understandable, the practice itself is deeply problematic. Firstly, it undermines the rule of law. When people take justice into their own hands, it sets a dangerous precedent where anyone can become a judge, jury and executioner without a fair trial or proper evidence. Furthermore, mob justice often leads to false accusations and vindictive behaviour. Misinformation spreads quickly in emotionally charged situations, leading to the wrongful punishment of innocent people. Unlike the legal system, which relies on evidence and due process, mob justice operates on emotion and mob mentality.

To prevent the continued rise of mob justice, reforms must be implemented to restore public confidence in the legal system. Government must prioritise improving police response times, increasing the efficiency of courts and holding corrupt officials accountable. Justice must not only be served but must also be seen to be served.

Fosters

Community policing initiatives can also help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. When citizens work closely with police to report crime and ensure criminals are apprehended legally, it fosters a sense of trust and cooperation. While mob justice may seem like an immediate solution to crime, it ultimately leads to more harm than good.

The justice system, despite its flaws, remains the only legitimate mechanism for ensuring fair and impartial rulings. Rather than abandoning it, efforts should be directed towards strengthening and reforming it. While mob justice may seem like an immediate solution to crime, it ultimately leads to more harm than good.

The justice system, despite its flaws, remains the only legitimate mechanism for ensuring fair and impartial rulings. Rather than abandoning it, efforts should be directed towards strengthening and reforming it.
We have seen mob justice be what brings together communities to fight and to provide assistance to many victims.

The story of Cwecwe is just an example of how the justice system lacks the sense of humanity and compassion that is needed by grieving and hurting victims. It is simply a system that focuses on the end results which can seem unfair from one perceptive, especially when it is based on the idea that every criminal can be rehabilitated.

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