When the long arm of the law falls short

Escalating crime levels, particularly offences against innocent victims, combined with the impunity criminals seem to enjoy, are stoking the flames of public outrage across the country.

There is a persistent perception that the police arrest suspects and the courts are quick to release them on bail. Members of the public have been shocked in recent times when the perpetrators of nightmare crimes have turned out to be “multiple bail” offenders. The disconnect between the people, the justice system and law enforcement has been widening and Batswana are apparently more willing than ever before to take the law into their own hands.