THE UNBEARABLE PRICE WE PAY FOR LAWLESSNESS 

As the end of the year draws nearer, and the festive season kicks into full gear, many cities are grappling with an unsettling rise in lawlessness – one that is all too common during this time of the year. From heightened crime to rampant injuries, the festive season can – like the flip of a switch – become a grief-stricken time for many. It is a critical opportunity for everyone across the nation to address the various spikes in lawlessness that are frequently occurrent during the festive season.

This time of the year, hordes of people are frequently journeying home to faraway towns and provinces. According to the March 2024 statistics by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), there are over 13 million vehicles on our roads. However, a chilling tweet from the South African Department of Transport this past July disclosed that approximately 10% of registered vehicles in South Africa are not roadworthy – meaning over a million cars are a direct danger to our society. 

According to AVTS Roadworthy Stations, there is no regular regime of vehicle testing for light motor vehicles. In fact, for 80% of the vehicles on our roads, roadworthy testing and certification is only actually required upon change of ownership.

Ultimately, this means that unroadworthy vehicles are more susceptible to breakdowns and mechanical failures. This can further lead to complications such as engine failure, oftentimes resulting in overheating, fires and explosions, amongst other complications. What’s worse is that pedestrians are actually the ones who are predominantly afflicted by road accidents. 

Corruption also plays a role in this. In South Africa, all new and used cars sold require a roadworthy certificate. However, the South African Police Service (SAPS), as well as traffic officers across the nation, have been criticised for their tendency to require bribes or extort road users. This has resulted in a rampant culture of corruption where law enforcement is concerned, and further led to the general populace overlooking the rules of the road. 

This also plays a major role in the overall endangerment of our society. This means that countless drunk drivers are dismissed – as long as they are able to afford the necessary bribes – and continue on to oftentimes cause serious injuries or death to themselves and others. 

Due to the heightened rate of movement across the nation in December, criminal behaviour also escalates dramatically. As criminals are aware of the increase in unoccupied homes, many people contend with theft and damage to their property, and even drastic measures such as extortion and kidnapping, as a result of criminal behaviour during this time. 

The working environment in SA is rather gruelling and demanding, from the moment the year kicks off in January. As a result, December in SA is a well-deserved wind-down to the end of the year. Many people face immense fatigue, anxiety, and emotional distress after working day and night, for endless months. This is somewhat compounded during the festive season, as many people may experience various levels of anxiety and distress, whether it’s from being alone, being around relatives, financial difficulties, or simply preparing for the season. 

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) reported that although only 43% of males consume alcohol, and only one in five women consume alcohol, the rate of alcohol consumption in South Africa is off the charts. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked South Africa’s consumption (for each person) as the 6th highest in the entire world. The SAMRC also stated that approximately 6 out of 10 adolescent and adult drinkers in SA engage in heavy binge drinking. This is higher than both the regional and global averages. 

By definition, binge drinking refers to the excessive consumption of alcohol in a short period of time. This can be life-threatening for those who do not regularly consume alcohol. However, even for regular alcohol consumers, this can easily lead to terrible car crashes, falls, burns, and even drowning. 

The high rate of alcohol consumption adversely impacts our already overburdened healthcare system. More accidents and injuries result in more hospitalisations and fatalities. This has a serious ripple effect into our communities, leaving scores of citizens with irreversible injuries and a lifetime worth of damage to their health. 

Furthermore, the rate of elderly deaths and child neglect are easily correlated to this time of the year, particularly attested to rampant alcoholism and overall neglect of the home. This is abhorrent, and only magnifies the plethora of challenges that are being grappled, both now and throughout the year. 

Although events, parties and alcohol are a common theme during the festive season, it is vital that everybody takes the necessary precautions to ensure that lives are not endangered. This is a matter of making wise, informed decisions – particularly where travel and safety is concerned. 

There are a plethora of issues that we contend with across the nation – from alcoholism to Gender-based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), and even human trafficking – all of which are dangerously heightened during the festive season. As a result, it is pertinent that South Africans take precautions in ensuring their own safety, and the safety of their communities. 

Decisions such as locking away your valuables and homes when vacating them, taking an Uber, Bolt or inDrive ride to a destination, looking for local accommodations when travelling longer distances, and especially indulging with restraint – especially in public places – is critical to mitigating the challenges that are contended with during this time. Crime, human and child trafficking, and road accidents may be frequent, but they remain avoidable. It is vital that people are cognisant of their environment and remain vigilant in their interactions. 

Community leaders are also emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and collaboration to ensure safety during this festive season. We cannot afford to take our wellbeing for granted during time. Former NASA astronaut and naval aviator Captain Scott Kelly once astutely said: “Safety has to be everyone’s responsibility.”