‘Human rights violation in Colita’ letter is reference (Estcourt News, March 2, page 6).
READ THE LETTER HERE: Human rights violation in Colita – justice system has failed
As much as I agree that it is not good for the public to take the law into their own hands, it is said that our South African Police Service (SAPS) has tried and failed to catch the suspect, in this case ‘now a victim’.
This boy literally slipped through the SAPS’s hands. Lot of residents of Colita have been complaining about this boy stealing (their clothes, food items, building materials, etc.), local police and leaders, including our councillor know about this.
ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS: Colita community apprehend alleged thief
But no proper action was ever taken. He has been threatening people with a knife (while taking their belongings); hence they are scared to individually open a case against him. After this rather sad incident with the community, police still failed to keep him where he belongs and now sadly want to take action against the same suspect’s victims.
The same man is now going around threatening the community that was involved, quoted saying ‘I know everyone who was there’. SAPS and community leaders, I wonder what will be your reaction when he starts assaulting these people (his long-time victims) or even worse, killing them?
Where will the law be then? Estcourt, what are we becoming?
What’s sadder about this whole thing is some comments from one of the community’s respected elders (Prince Raymond Trollip) from the previous letter, when he says, and I quote: “People say their items were stolen, why did they not open cases, most likely these were stolen items and that is why you stay away from the police.” Sir, only if you knew how much we have lost!
ALSO READ: Vigilantism is not tolerated in Colita
One other concern Mr Trollip, what point are you communicating to the Colita/Estcourt citizens when you say: “The real Colita residents” and later “We built Colita from nothing and you came here yesterday and you are creating this carnage”.
Hope you will be able to deal with the consequences that normally comes with such statements!
Concerned Colita Citizen
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