CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Residents of the Khayelitsha neighborhood accused one of their neighbors of raping a child. This sparked a violent reaction from the crowd, who were hungry for justice and his blood. Before the police arrived, they lynched him and burned him alive.
Although the man was probably guilty, taking justice into your own hands is never a good idea. Those who participate in lynchings often commit a more serious crime than the perpetrator himself. Even the worst child rapist has the right to a fair trial and punishment according to the law.
