Kevin's Watch

Taking my son to the dentist, there was a couple hundred people in the road and one police truck. A motorcyclist explained that ten robbers had been caught. We went up further and were surprised to see my son's coach, who told us the same thing and added, "They're killing them now." We drove farther and there they were, laying bloody and broken in the road. People were still beating them with clubs. The police did nothing to stop it.

They had robbed the place where we were going (a missions compound) and the previous two bands that were brought to the police were let go. So the locals enacted instant justice-- if you can call it that.

Well, wherever they are now, justice has surely caught up with them.

Absolutely horrible.

aTOMiC wrote:Absolutely horrible.

What, that the police did nothing the first two times?
I agree.

High Lord Tolkien wrote:

aTOMiC wrote:Absolutely horrible.

What, that the police did nothing the first two times?
I agree.

The whole thing. All of it.

DOTD, that must have been traumatic. I hope you're getting over it.

And it's all wrong, all of it. Robbery, slacker police, vigilanteism, needless death. It's anarchy.

How awful.

Wow. That is terrible.

Hope you and your son stay safe.

wayfriend wrote:Robbery, slacker police, vigilanteism, needless death. It's anarchy.

It's Africa.

Sorry to hear about that DotD. That's rough.

--A

Sounds horrible, all the best to you and yours.

That's not a very pleasant thing to have to witness. I hope you and your son will be alright.

I also hope you are both okay. Exposure to that type of violence can really be tough on anyone but especially a young person.

So they did nothing about the original crimes or the retribution. What exectly do the police do down there?

it must be difficult to try and explain the unexplainable to your child.

anarchy indeed.

Not sure what to say to that. I'm sorry you had to witness something so horrible DOTD.

I'm speechless. Despite the fact that it shouldn't have happened, and you should not have had to see it, I hope you and the son can talk about it. Just leaving it at the horrific imagery is a very bad idea, in my opinion, especially for a young one.

Wishing you both well.

dw

I suppose the cops let them go, knowing this would happen? Av's comment pretty much sums my feelings up.

wayfriend wrote:And it's all wrong, all of it. Robbery, slacker police, vigilanteism, needless death. It's anarchy.

Damn straight. That's the most horrific thing I've heard in a long time.

Avatar, is this par for the course for Africa then?!

Wow, I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you, DotD. Hugs to you and your son.

Y'know, after watching and reading Geldof In Africa, the Last King of Scotland, Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda and a few other movies and books, I don't feel a strong need to move to Africa. I understand it is beautiful, but, um...I'm just a scaredy American.

Sorry to hear about this. Hope you and your son are okay.

CovenantJr wrote: Avatar, is this par for the course for Africa then?!

Dunno if I'd say par for the course, but certainly not entirely uncommon. Vigilante "justice" is definitely not unknown, even in places with a stronger rule of law than Nigeria.

(Which isn't all that bad from what I know, although there has been some recent problems there as DotD will confirm I'm sure. Oil company issues, mainly, IIRC.)

Never underestimate the very real traditional and tribal ties, laws, etc. and sometimes a distrust of external authority, usually imposed.

I've tried before to convey the sense of "cheapness" which sometimes appears attached to life in Africa...violent and protracted conflict has marked generations, and casual brutality is unexceptional under certain conditions. The extraction of vengeance in particular. Add that to a historical trait of following the absolute authority represented by Chief or Monarch, and a desesitisation brought about by a life-times closeness to death and suffering...and it can be a dangerous combination.

--A