MALAIKA MAHLATSI | Thin line between being anti-crime and being xenophobic

10 August 2022 - 07:34A youngster lights a cellphone torch inside the dingy mine shaft in search of zama zamas in Munsieville, Krugersdorp.The story of the gang rapes of 10 women, by zama-zamas, at a disused mine in Krugersdorp is gut-wrenching. Though it has been weeks since the story broke, I find myself thinking about it on a daily basis. It haunts me. The helplessness that those women endured, at the hands of balaclava-clad men brandishing weapons, is unthinkable.

The thought of 20 men taking turns on each of those women is paralysing. And while for so many of us, it is this abstract idea of gang rape that traumatises us, for those women, it is the visceral reality that will be with them for the rest of their lives. I remember a line from a Jodi Picoult book I read when I was younger, which said that rape is worse than murder, because with murder you only die once, while with rape, you die every day but are forced to go on with the motions of being alive.

Days after the story broke, the ANC staged a march against illegal mining and zama zamas. On the surface, this was a progressive protest against illegal mining, which is not just a national issue but an issue of international concern. The United Nations has long noted that illegal mining and trafficking precious minerals is a global calamity that sets parameters for violence, war and economic decline.

We have seen in countries where illegal mining and mineral trafficking happen that these are breeding grounds for economic crimes such as corruption, tax evasion and fraud. Additionally, they are a festering ground for gross human rights abuses, as we see in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in Zimbabwe.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

‘New season, same old Kaizer Chiefs’ — Fans react to loss to Royal AM'Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester United: same WhatsApp group. The difference is the location only,' joked one fan. The most unhappy people in ZA Are you sure the fan was joking? La nyela
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

Chiefs start new era: FIVE things we noticed at Royal AMChiefs start new era: FIVE things we noticed at Royal AM Kaizer Chiefs finally started the new dawn. Unfortunately, the first game was a defeat to Royal AM. Here are five things we picked up.
Source: TheSAnews - 🏆 25. / 59 Read more »

Zwane opens up on Itumeleng Khune's absenceKaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has explained the omission of veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune from his matchday squad in their 2022/23 opening loss against Royal AM. SLsiya Zwane is a glorified ball boy acting like a coach. He was told not to field him by Bobby. He is never bringing better changes at Chiefs cause he's not up to Chiefs' standard. Best 11 available.......that settles it then,the question I why was he named captain....to dupe the fans maybe? Thanks for restoring my happiness in my dark days, During this period I invested $1500 and to my greatest surprise I got a return of $15,500. He's reliability can’t be equated _JamesAlderson
Source: Soccer_Laduma - 🏆 22. / 63 Read more »

Former great encouraged by positive Chiefs signsKaizer Chiefs great Zebulon 'Sputla' Nhlapo is encouraged by Arthur Zwane's side despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Royal AM in their season opener. Read more here ➡️
Source: KickOffMagazine - 🏆 36. / 51 Read more »

Lukhanyo Am shows strength with calmness in decision-makingKurt-Lee Arendse had a dream start against the All Blacks, scoring the Rugby Championship opener and Malcolm Marx, in his 50th Test, was colossal. But my player of the day was Springboks inside centre Lukhanyo Am.
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

Lukhanyo Am shows strength with calmness in decision-makingKurt-Lee Arendse had a dream start against the All Blacks, scoring the Rugby Championship opener and Malcolm Marx, in his 50th Test, was colossal. But my player of the day was Springboks inside centre Lukhanyo Am. Outside* centre 🤘🏼
Source: SundayTimesZA - 🏆 47. / 51 Read more »