Letters | Terrorism in South Africa

The brazen and often deadly cash-in-transit heists in South Africa illustrate that our nation is sliding towards complete anarchy. The increase in these heists and ATM bombings is truly alarming. The crimes committed during these criminal operations are tantamount to terrorism.

Cable theft also falls within the ambit of terrorism. South African law on terrorism is enacted under the Protection Of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Act. This act is complex and covers arson, sabotage and other related threats to the safety of the state and it’s citizenry.

It is astonishing that law enforcement officials do not use its provisions when prosecuting transgressors of the law. Chapter one clearly explains the definition of terrorism. Chapter two explains the offences and penalties.

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Part two includes section five, which relates to offences relating to explosives, rudimentary or sophisticated, and other lethal devices. Section six relates to hijacking, destroying or endangering the safety of a fixed asset. An ATM in the strict legal sense is a fixed asset. Unless and until we implement the law in it’s full capacity, we will devolve into a lawless society.

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