Crime stalks our homes and streets every day, like some deadly predator.
We try to keep our families safe by building high walls, investing in expensive alarm systems and joining neighbourhood watches, but criminals are becoming more brazen and creative by the day.
What has become disquieting in recent times is a growing tendency in some communities to show sympathy towards these thugs who wreak havoc, pain and tragedy.
Two incidents this week highlighted this disturbing trend. In the first, a mother was tipped off by a family friend that her daughter was being gang-raped.
When she opened the door to a nearby home, she caught three men in the act. When the rapists turned on her, she reacted instinctively, stabbing all three and killing one.
She was arrested and now faces charges of murder and attempted murder. If convicted, she could face years behind bars for trying to save her life and her daughter from brutal criminals.
In the same incident, the young family friend who alerted the woman to the rape tried to take her life last week, after members of her family blamed her for the man’s death. They insisted if she had kept quiet, the alleged rapist, who is known to them, would still be alive.
In another incident, a well-known and feared local gangster was shot and killed at a crime scene. Motorcycle riders escorted the hearse and mourners danced to loud music, drank openly, revved their engines and fired guns. Several cars were stolen and set alight in a mock celebration of his death.
Which raises the question: If you witness a crime, do you report what you’ve seen to the authorities or look the other way and mutter: “It’s none of my business”?
A recent survey tells us one in four professionals feels intimidated to report corruption and unethical practices at the workplace. About 14% of the respondents feared for their lives for reporting unethical behaviour while 22% felt threatened doing so.
More disturbing, 70% of respondents claimed they were put under pressure to sweep things under the carpet.
If this is anywhere near the truth, what chance do we have of ridding our country of crime and corruption? Surely we cannot beat crime by surrendering meekly to it?
* The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Newspapers.