Does mob justice fit the conceptual theory of justice?
So prevalent is mob justice that it consistently ranks high among crimes recorded in police statistics.
If you ask people whether they believe mob justice is permissible, you’re likely to get various responses, with the loudest voices being those who believe communities avenging crimes committed against them is the only way to fight crime.
Others will, however, raise concerns about its potential for abuse and violation of human rights.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the dangers of vigilante justice and explore alternative approaches to addressing crime and public safety concerns.
This advice came following the tragic death of a man believed to be from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo and was part of a video which made rounds on social media platforms recently where he was being subjected to thorough hiding after being caught with a central processing unit which he was accused of having stolen in Mahatshula South suburb.
In the video, the now deceased man Lucky Ncube (23) was made to confess that he was a thief and had been caught stealing in Mahatshula suburb.
According to a police report, he tragically passed on due to injuries he sustained as a result of the alleged beating.
This came to light when two members of the neighbourhood watch committee in Mahatshula South, Mudzi Tulisani and William Nyoni appeared in court facing a charge of murder.
They appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube and were not asked to plead.
They were remanded out of custody to 5 January on US$100 bail each.
Allegations against the duo are that on 8 December 2023 at around 2am, they were doing their routine patrols, when they caught up with the now-deceased Ncube.
He was carrying a central processing unit when they apprehended him, and they suspected he had stolen it.
Alerted by a whistle, members of the community gathered and assaulted the now-deceased with knobkerries.
They took him to Queens Park Police Station where they reported the matter. The victim was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital where he died on 12 December.
The police carried out investigations leading to the arrest of the duo.
A medical report was produced in court as evidence.
