Mob justice isn't just

The Monitor Editor | Tuesday June 9, 2026 13:53

A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.

Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was a brutal, lethal assault that went far beyond any citizen’s rights. Reasonable force may be used to detain a suspect, but punishment must be left to the courts. In recent cases, the savage beating led to murder investigations.

We must remember that every suspect is innocent until proven guilty. Handing an alleged thief to the police upholds the rule of law; beating him to death destroys it. Mob action does not just end one life. It robs a family of a son, brutalises the community, and risks sending citizens to prison for a long time.

No matter how strong the temptation, two wrongs do not make a right.

Yet, we cannot ignore the frustration behind mob justice. Too often, suspects are arrested only to be released on bail and reoffend, or cases drag on for years without resolution. When the justice system appears slow and toothless, despair pushes people to take the law into their own hands. That is why we call on the police, prosecutors, and courts to act with far greater urgency. Cases where a thief is caught red-handed must be fast-tracked. Speedy investigations, swift trials, and fitting sentences will restore public confidence and act as a real deterrent. The wheels of justice must turn visibly so that communities trust the state to protect them.

Until then, we urge every Motswana: if you catch a suspect, do not strike them. Hold them and call the police. Join a neighbourhood watch, share information, and work with law enforcement. The police have repeatedly warned that taking the law into one's own hands is a criminal act that can lead to tragic loss of life and prosecution. Do not let anger win. Hand them over and let the law take its course.