Times Of Swaziland: LAW ONLY WORKS ON NONENTITIES IN ESWATINI

LAW ONLY WORKS ON NONENTITIES IN ESWATINI
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The Editor on 01/03/2021 00:02:00


Sir,
It is quite commendable that the police are doing all they can to curb crime and
are making countrywide dialogues to that effect. However, that does not mean we
have to sit back and watch events unfold, but we certainly have to look for
solutions.
It certainly does not bode well for us as a nation, in that we are reactive
instead of being proactive, and we hardly ever think of the root causes of
crime. What is the root cause of crime and frustration? The simplest and real
answer is poverty, joblessness and idleness.
Dreams
Every human being, especially the young, have dreams and aspirations of a
prosperous future. If this does not fall into the scheme of things, what will
certainly happen is frustration and thereafter, crime.
It truly is quite sad when you look at people who have everything engage in
positional and white collar crimes simply to amass riches and never think of the
poor. What do you expect the poor to do where, if you steal millions and are
connected, one is allowed to roam free and steal some more while the pauper is
expected to spend months in jail without bail, trial and finally no fine? The
law only works on the nonentities in this county.
How many quality jobs have been created in this country? With the shutdown of
companies and loss of quality jobs, what else is left for the poor? In the midst
of all this, the country has educated and intelligent youth who are idle.
Thieves
I hate thieves with all my heart for I have worked for everything I own and hate
to be deprived of my hard-earned possessions at the spur of a moment. I fully
concur that thieves and rogues must be dealt with.
What will help curb crime if we have a government that is not there to protect
its citizens, but is in bed with unscrupulous individuals? People must not think
that simply because they can make laws, they can get away with anything. If this
is allowed to continue, we will have a lot of vengeful individuals who will
resort to crime and have their future destroyed. The worst part is when the
institution (government) we expect to uphold the Constitution and laws of the
country tends to side with wrongdoers.
Dialogues
To close my case, may I say there is no amount of dialogue or incarcerations
without bail or harsh sentences that will curb crime in this country save for
the fact that there is political will from government to assist.
The paradox is in that the rich and powerful are driven by pangs of amassing
wealth and power, which makes them commit white collar crimes, which is
voluntary, while the poor are driven by pangs of need and starvation which are
involuntary.
J M Dlamini