The murder of Karin van Aardt (64) last Friday near Cape Town International Airport serves as tragic proof of the violent crime situation in South Africa, where criminals – emboldened by a broken criminal justice system – no longer respect the law or human life.
At the same time, it proves that the authorities are turning a blind eye instead of taking decisive action and using every means at their disposal to apprehend criminals, even while a crime-weary community pleads for protection.
Three weeks ago, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) issued a strong statement precisely about the violence and lawlessness plaguing the roads around Cape Town International Airport. The headline read: “Action urgently needed to stop violent attacks and stone-throwing on the N2 and R300”.
The party called on all stakeholders – the City, the province, SANRAL and the police – to join hands and work together to find solutions, instead of pointing fingers and shirking responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility; it affects everyone.
The Freedom Front Plus even put forward practical and implementable proposals for preventive action, such as repairing damaged highway fencing, reactivating broken CCTV cameras and deploying permanent armed patrols at high-risk areas – including the very spot where Mrs Van Aardt was brutally murdered.
Three weeks later, nothing has happened. No acknowledgement that a problem exists. No indication that notice was taken of the party’s call for action. No plan, no effort was made. Just silence.
Apparently, this is what human lives are worth in South Africa.
The actual problem is far bigger and stretches much wider, though. The murder and crime wave at the Airport is indicative of what is happening across the country. Action and prevention are not optional – they are absolutely crucial.
The Freedom Front Plus warned that every broken fence and unguarded bridge in the Airport danger zone serves as an invitation for another attack.
It was ignored.
The Freedom Front Plus warned that there will be more attacks and bloodshed in this area, and that the blood of the innocent victims will be on the hands of those who failed to act.
On average around 70 murders are committed in South Africa every day – a mere fraction of the assaults, attempted murders, rapes and other violent crimes.
Crime is not just a crisis – it is an emergency. Yet the reality is that South Africans have become so desensitised that this slaughter is almost regarded as normal.
It is not normal. It is wrong; and the time has come to take serious and fierce action. No punishment is too severe when it comes to protecting peace-loving, law-abiding citizens.
Freedom Front Plus Disaster Management: The party advocates for effective disaster management strategies.
Super Flick
Denmark: You have two cows. They have more rights than you.
Frosty Sunshine
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is the only country in the world to build and then decide to dismantle the whole of its nuclear weapons program.