QUELLING THE RAGING FIRE: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AS A RESPONSE TO VIGILANTISM IN SOUTH AFRICA
Journal: Obiter
Year: 2023

Vigilantism is a persistent problem in South Africa. The problem largely emanates from people’s dissatisfaction with how the police, or the criminal justice system, deals with crime. There are high levels of crime in communities and the general feeling is that little has been done to curb it. Thus, the acts of vigilantism fill the vacuum left by unsatisfactory law enforcement or the criminal justice system. Although vigilantism constitutes criminal behaviour that warrants punishment, vigilantes