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Democracy & its Discontents: Vigilantism, Sovereignty & Human Rights in South Africa

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  • Lars Buur

Abstract

This article argues that due to the particular position of crime in South Africa, the resurgence of vigilantism needs to be re-evaluated in light of the country's attempt at institutionalising human rights as the new society's founding values. Because many township dwellers see vigilantes as their protection against crime, vigilantism should be seen as a criticism of and a comment on human rights as the new expression of the country's most intimate values. The article begins by introducing an ethnographic case study of a vigilante group from Port Elizabeth's townships, which has become incorporated as an official ‘Safety and Security’ structure under the Community Policing Forum. The article suggests that fighting crime relates to wider questions of the perceived need for discipline and corporal punishment in response to the erosion of social authority.

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  • Lars Buur, 2008. "Democracy & its Discontents: Vigilantism, Sovereignty & Human Rights in South Africa," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(118), pages 571-584, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:revape:v:35:y:2008:i:118:p:571-584
    DOI: 10.1080/03056240802569250
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