Many of us thought 1994 had brought an end to the armed Struggle. We were, to a large extent, of the view that the country will unfold into a new, safe Republic, where our well-being will gradually be ushered in through peaceful legislative processes, because a liberation movement was now in power.
In power with a sufficient majority to better our lives as had been the promise since day one in power. A better life for all. Not a bitter one, nor a better lie.
Twenty seven years later, we are seeing new armed forces taking over our lives – forces that the government appears to be incapable to deal with. The taxi industry forces, copper cables thieves and the so-called zama zamas – all armed to the teeth and causing so much fear among black people in this country.
The police or the government appear helpless in the face of all this, or maybe everyone who matters is consumed in the squabbles of the ruling party that is gradually turning it into a ruining party.
In some instances, we have no-go areas for locals as these have been taken over by foreign nationals, and locals are mistreated or even forced to pay protection fees.
One then asks oneself a question: why do we call ourselves a state when anyone can take charge of any part of our country or any sector of our existence?
Will the government at any stage be able to clean this country or are we gradually relegating responsibility to those who are at the receiving end of the chaos we find ourselves in?
How do we start to blame Zandspruit people, or the mobs, as the media prefers to call them, when ordinary people have grown tired of being on the receiving end of armed criminals?
Where do the ordinary go and raise concerns when law enforcers claim to be scared of the forces out there. The free-for-all country is gradually brewing a very dangerous concoction which the well-off think they will be safe from.
A no-escape situation is being created by the reluctance of the government to act against “foreign” invasions, lawlessness in the taxi and informal mining industries, the Cape flats and the so-called underworld.
My understanding is that the arms we had were to bring changes we intended in 1994, not to disrupt lives, particularly black lives.
Taking control of the security forces was meant to ensure that citizens get the required protection and exist peacefully in the country they fought for.
Unfortunately, we have a situation where those who want a semblance of safety have to go for private security – and you have to ask yourself what type of a country is it where private security becomes a booming business.
Do we have a country?
• Galekhutle is a Sowean reader
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