Deal with mob justice firmly
Mar 29, 2011
THREE people were killed on Monday in Ntinda, a Kampala city suburb, as Police were trying to rescue a suspected motor-cycle thief from a violent mob.
THREE people were killed on Monday in Ntinda, a Kampala city suburb, as Police were trying to rescue a suspected motor-cycle thief from a violent mob.
In spite of the Police’s intervention, the angry mob managed to kill and burn the suspect. But in the fracas, a Police Constable identified as Peace Njala, shot and killed another boda boda operator and a taxi driver.
This is not an isolated mob justice incident. On the same day, two other suspects were lynched in Jinja. Daily, the media report cases of mob justice across the country, an indication that the problem is worsening.
Mob justice is unconstitutional and criminal. There is the argument that mob justice is on the rise because the public no longer have trust in the judicial system in general and the law enforcement agencies in particular. In the Monday incident, some of the perpetrators of mob justice reportedly argued that they did not want the suspect handed over to the Police because they feared that he would be set-free.
Mob justice is unacceptable and measures must be taken as a matter of priority to deal with the problem decisively. Tackling mob justice requires a number of measures. The Police and other law enforcement agencies must be transparent in handling cases. Any criminal case reported to the Police should never be shelved without an explanation to the complainant preferably in writing. Where a suspect is released on bond, an explanation should be provided to the complainant.
The Police, the Judiciary and the Director of Public Prosecution should carry out a public awareness campaign to sensitise the public about administration of justice. Sometimes suspects are not prosecuted because witnesses are uncooperative.
Lastly, the Police must firmly deal with cases of mob justice by arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators.
In spite of the Police’s intervention, the angry mob managed to kill and burn the suspect. But in the fracas, a Police Constable identified as Peace Njala, shot and killed another boda boda operator and a taxi driver.
This is not an isolated mob justice incident. On the same day, two other suspects were lynched in Jinja. Daily, the media report cases of mob justice across the country, an indication that the problem is worsening.
Mob justice is unconstitutional and criminal. There is the argument that mob justice is on the rise because the public no longer have trust in the judicial system in general and the law enforcement agencies in particular. In the Monday incident, some of the perpetrators of mob justice reportedly argued that they did not want the suspect handed over to the Police because they feared that he would be set-free.
Mob justice is unacceptable and measures must be taken as a matter of priority to deal with the problem decisively. Tackling mob justice requires a number of measures. The Police and other law enforcement agencies must be transparent in handling cases. Any criminal case reported to the Police should never be shelved without an explanation to the complainant preferably in writing. Where a suspect is released on bond, an explanation should be provided to the complainant.
The Police, the Judiciary and the Director of Public Prosecution should carry out a public awareness campaign to sensitise the public about administration of justice. Sometimes suspects are not prosecuted because witnesses are uncooperative.
Lastly, the Police must firmly deal with cases of mob justice by arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators.