Violent Justice, Vigilantism and the State`s Response

This monograph examines the rise of vigilantism in South Africa as a response to a high crime rate and an inefficient criminal justice system. It highlights the Mapogo-a-Mathamaga group as a significant example and provides recommendations for the state to reduce vigilantism by improving judicial transparency, prosecuting vigilantes, and enhancing community partnerships.

• Vigilantism in South Africa is driven by a high crime rate and a lack of public confidence in the police and courts, leading those who cannot afford private security to view vigilantism as a viable option.
• The Mapogo-a-Mathamaga group, based in the Northern Province, is the largest vigilante group in South Africa and is unique for its support across race and class lines in both urban and rural areas, driven by the belief that the group provides swift and harsh punishment.
• Vigilante groups threaten the rule of law and the foundation of democracy by performing policing and justice functions through violent means, which ultimately increases the workload for formal police and courts rather than reducing crime.
• To combat vigilantism, the document recommends that the government publicise convictions for serious crimes and corruption, prosecute those engaging in vigilante activity, improve public information regarding the criminal justice process via the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery (Batho Pele), and encourage functional community crime prevention partnerships.

APA

Sekhonyane, M., & Louw, A. (n.d.). Violent Justice, Vigilantism and the State`s Response. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-72-violent-justice-vigilantism-and-the-states-response-makubetse-sekhonyane-and-antoinette-louw

Chicago

Sekhonyane, Makubetse, and Antoinette Louw. Violent Justice, Vigilantism and the State`s Response. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-72-violent-justice-vigilantism-and-the-states-response-makubetse-sekhonyane-and-antoinette-louw.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sekhonyane |first1=Makubetse |last2=Louw |first2=Antoinette |title=Violent Justice, Vigilantism and the State`s Response |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-72-violent-justice-vigilantism-and-the-states-response-makubetse-sekhonyane-and-antoinette-louw |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sekhonyanendviolent, author = {Sekhonyane, Makubetse and Louw, Antoinette}, title = {{Violent Justice, Vigilantism and the State`s Response}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-72-violent-justice-vigilantism-and-the-states-response-makubetse-sekhonyane-and-antoinette-louw}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }