Crime and punishment in South Africa

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2024

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Outside of a war zone, South Africa is one of the most dangerous places in the world. The country’s murder rate is now at a 20-year high. With trust in the police falling, communities say they have no option but to defend themselves. BBC Africa Eye’s Ayanda Charlie joins two volunteer units, a team of farmers near Pretoria, and a group in Diepsloot, a poor township near Johannesburg. We see the risks they take, and ask who holds patrols accountable.

Transcript

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0:00.0	It's Friday night and able Raphejo is getting his volunteer security patrol together.
0:11.0	I know him from the street. He's joined by about two dozen men and women. They put on Hiva's jackets, but nothing is
0:19.5	official about this group. They're concerned about this group. They're concerned residents of Deep Sloot, a poor black township in South Africa, on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
0:34.0	Deepfoot is in the hand of the criminals.
0:38.0	We learn to do stop and search inside the township.
0:43.0	Whoever we meet with during the night,
0:46.0	you have to search that person.
0:48.0	Able is 41 and has been leading this weekly patrol for two years.
0:53.0	Like many in this community,
0:55.0	Abel is unemployed.
0:57.0	What are you searching for?
0:59.0	The weapons that they might be heavy.
1:01.0	Guns, knives, we are facing the big challenge
1:05.0	because this morning when we wake up,
1:06.0	someone has been killed with the panga.
1:08.0	The big knife.
1:09.0	Oh, a machete.
1:10.0	Yes.
1:11.0	People are scared in Tarikship if we don't patrol ourselves.
1:15.0	It's going to be a big challenge because people will continue dying.
1:21.0	60 kilometers away near the town of Brits.
1:24.0	Johann de Klaq is also getting ready to lead a night patrol.
	...

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