In several SADC countries, including Angola, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia, this has led to suspected criminals being arbitrarily arrested, tortured or killed. The violent activities of some anti-crime vigilante groups in countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa have added to a climate of crisis.
In South Africa, this pressure to respond ruthlessly emerged at a time when the transition from the practices of the apartheid past seemed barely completed. However, in a significant ruling on the use of force, on 21 May 2002, the Constitutional Court, while affirming police officers' right to self-defence, made it clear that the state should never allow excessive force and should uphold Human Rights for everyone, including suspected criminals.
"This call could apply to other countries in the region. All governments in the region need to display greater political will in seeking solutions to the rise in violent criminality in a manner consistent with the protection of Human Rights," the organization stressed.
They should encourage the public to accept that real solutions lie in improving the ability of the police to investigate crime lawfully and effectively and in co-operation with the affected communities.
In South Africa, this pressure to respond ruthlessly emerged at a time when the transition from the practices of the apartheid past seemed barely completed. However, in a significant ruling on the use of force, on 21 May 2002, the Constitutional Court, while affirming police officers' right to self-defence, made it clear that the state should never allow excessive force and should uphold Human Rights for everyone, including suspected criminals.
"This call could apply to other countries in the region. All governments in the region need to display greater political will in seeking solutions to the rise in violent criminality in a manner consistent with the protection of Human Rights," the organization stressed.
They should encourage the public to accept that real solutions lie in improving the ability of the police to investigate crime lawfully and effectively and in co-operation with the affected communities.