That was the word from Ses'khona People's Rights Movement leader Andile Lili, who addressed cheering crowds of supporters outside the Bellville Magistrate's court on Tuesday.
Lili was addressing the crowd after sentencing proceedings against him and eight others were postponed. They were previously found guilty of contravening the Civil Aviation Act in February after dumping human faeces at the Cape Town International Airport. The incident occurred two years ago.
Lili said he was not satisfied with the country's justice system.
"Sometimes [criminals] are arrested ... but the justice system releases them. So the only thing we can do is to kill immediately if we find a criminal.
"We must kill them, comrades! We are liberating ourselves from criminals. Police are trying, but the justice system is failing us."
'System is failing the poor people'
Lili told supporters outside court that the justice system was "biased [in favour of] government", while it was "against the poor".
"People fighting for dignity are being found guilty for peaceful protests," he said.
"The system is failing the poor people."
The crime rate in impoverished communities "is too high and the criminals are celebrating".
"They kill today, tomorrow they are released. They are raping today, tomorrow they are released. They are stealing today, tomorrow they are released. They have become powerful in our communities.
"If they are raping, you must kill them immediately. If they are stealing, we must kill them immediately. And we must kill them brutally, the same way that they are [hurting] our sisters, our mothers and our parents."
'Mob justice should never be condoned'
Former Western Cape Community Policing Board chairperson Hanif Loonat said such sentiments were "irresponsible, especially coming from a community leader".
"Such a view is not conducive to the fight against crime. Mobilising people to go against the system is counter-productive to the battle we are facing," he insisted.
"Do something useful instead, such as taking the matter to the top officials or voicing your views through the CPF.
"Mob justice should never be condoned or encouraged."
Khayelitsha Cluster Commander Major General Johan Brandt slammed Lili's sentiments as "irrational".
Calls for such action is not in line with community mobilisation, he said.
"Such a message can lead to people taking the law into their own hands. Such action is definitely not recommended," he told News24.
When asked if he was encouraging mob justice, Lili said he "doesn't care", as "we need not respect the justice system if it does not respect us".
"I know how brutally our brothers and sisters are being raped and killed. I cannot listen to someone who lives in Constantia, who doesn't feel what I feel in Makhaza.
"They can say I am encouraging crime. That's fine. As long as I am doing justice for the people."
News24
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