Are convicts being rehabilitated?

Maxwell Mmema is a 43-year-old former convict from Magele, near Hlatikhulu. He has previously served an unspecified prison term but last week, he was once again arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl.

He appeared before a magistrate in Nhlangano, charged with contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, 2018. The prosecution alleges that Mmema unlawfully instilled fear in the little girl, by removing her pants and lying on top of her, with the intention of committing a sexual act.

The same man is accused of assaulting one Vuyiseka Nhleko on June 12, 2025, a few weeks before the incident involving the 10-year-old. Mmema is alive and in custody, awaiting trial for his atrocious transgressions, as alleged. That much cannot be said of Mazwi Vilakati, another ex-convict of Mahlabatsini under the Gege constituency. The 40-year-old Vilakati is dead, after being heavily assaulted by a mob of irate community members, who allege that he was caught pants down, literally, while raping an eight-year-old girl. This happened last Sunday in Dinga, an area located about eight kilometres from Mahlabatsini, where Vilakati hailed from.

The minor girl had been sent to the shops at around 2pm when she was confronted by the deceased, who forced her into a nearby forest and sexually assaulted her. A community member who found him in the act raised the alarm and the offender fled. However, he failed to outpace residents who responded to the call for help. Vilakati was apprehended and taken back to the violated minor’s home where he was undressed and beaten with all sorts of weapons. This story has already garnered a lot of attention, with social media traditionally dominating the discourse.

It is already public knowledge that five people have since been arrested and charged with Vilakati’s murder. Initially, the police had rounded up 37 community members found at the scene but charges have only been preferred against five. They have already appeared before a magistrate and now await committal to the High Court, where murder cases are ventilated. This murder and subsequent arrests have once again revived the never-ending debate on mob justice.

Full article available in our paper.