If the cops are all corrupt, who will look out for us, Trump can't forget, is this just another loudmouth

IOL News

14-07-2025

Who do we turn to if top cops are rotten?
Ever since Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the current KZN Provincial Commissioner, made startling claims about the unfortunate state of affairs of our country, I've been wondering where an ordinary citizen like myself is to run to for protection if the ruthless criminals are confronting one, as it was alleged that criminal gangs are controlling law enforcement agencies and their executive authorities.
One would remember the period of black-on-black violence, during the '80s, following the assassination of struggle icon, lawyer, and political activist Mama Victoria Mxenge.
Her killing led to the directive from the ANC in exile, which said law enforcement agencies and all criminal justice systems should be defied since they were all not to be trusted.
These government structures were perceived as compromised and the defenders of an oppressive state.Therefore, it couldn't be taken as a legitimate state organ, and communities should protect themselves and not rely on untrustworthy police officers.
Hence, township communities embarked on forming street committees that were aimed at replacing law enforcement organs and took the law into their own hands to protect society from the criminals who were taking advantage of the vulnerable situation at the time.
And today, with such revelations by Mkhwanazi, one wonders if history may not repeat itself if it happens that society is beginning to lose trust in police officers and the executive authority. I hope it won't reach the said stage because it would be very difficult to control such an uprising.
Indeed, who can stand upright in the entire cluster of the criminal justice system if the people in the highest positions of executive power are said to be captured by a criminal syndicate?I am now tempted to concur with the former student movement leader, #FeesMustFall, Mcebo Freedom Dlamini, who said in his assertions in one of the podcasts, 'You can't defend the ruling party (ANC) and not look stupid.
"I urge all political commentators to refrain from trying to project General Mkhwanazi as a wayward character who seeks public sympathy.
I strongly believe that what triggered his actions was a result of the frustration that he encountered when he attempted to address these matters by following internal processes and protocols.
What any man could have if he were always being deliberately ignored whenever trying to nudge those in power about the rot in criminal justice systems, which now seems to be institutionalised?
I don't think this is what we hoped for when we voted the majority black into power in 1994.
Cry, Our Beloved Country! | Nhlanhla Sithole Greytown
Even after 18 years Donald, I'm still here
US President Donald Trump has once again put on display his ignorance of the laws of the land by threatening to revoke the US citizenship of comedian Rosie O'Donnell – something he cannot legally do because the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the US.
But will the president have the graciousness to apologise to O'Donnell, with whom he has had a decades-long feud with, when he learns from one of his minions that the comedian/actress was, in fact, born in the New York state town of Commack.
O'Donnell, in response to Trump's latest posting about her on his TruthSocial podcast, humorously wrote in reply: 'Hey Donald – you're rattled again? 18 years later and I still live rent-free in this collapsing brain of yours.' | Eric Palm Gympie, Australia
Time will tell if he's another loud-mouth
Zohram Mamdani has just potentially become the new mayor of New York. Not because of the Democratic mayoral candidate's religion, race, or country of origin, but because he's promised citizens low-cost food, shelter and transport.
Sounds good, hey? But we have had big mouths before. Like Rishi Sunak. Also of Indian origin.
Sunak, went one better and sneaked his way in to become resident of 10 Downing Street, aka UK Prime Minister. Unfortunately, he made a regular hash of a position that could have launched him into the enviable position of occupying some valuable space in the local wax museum.He forgot that trying to instill ideas contrary to basic human rights was not about to get him anywhere.
But just for that most essential difference of promising some goodly basics, like lowered housing rentals, free urban transport and free nursery facilities, we wish him the best of luck.
Also for speaking out bravely against the genocidal Zionist regime in Israel, he deserves all that bright light that perpetually shines from the Northern Star over Time Square. | Ebrahim Essa Durban
How long before Israel is punished?
Apartheid Israel is killing, humiliating Palestinians and destroying their culture, heritage, farms, and homes in broad daylight, based on Zionists' colonial philosophies of 'a land without a people for a people without a land' and Jewish supremacy.
The Israeli defence forces, or rather Israel Genocide Forces, have targeted and bombed almost everything in Gaza: Refugee camps, bakeries, schools, universities, children playing outside, places of worship, medical facilities, intensive care units for babies, homes, even human beings waiting in line near food distribution centres are not safe from the these indiscriminate bombings all over Gaza.
Apartheid Israel is unleashing the most horrible, wickedest, n
astiest, and the most intense brutality on the Palestinians, the indigenous people of the Holy Land. How many more Palestinians must be killed and displaced before humanity wakes up and demands global leaders take real action against apartheid Israel?
How can we remain unmoved in the face of so much suffering, destruction, and death?
As long as Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes relating to the genocide in Gaza, remains in power, a permanent ceasefire in Gaza will remain unattainable. | MOHAMED SAEED Pietermaritzburg
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