Assassinations under scrutiny

AS the time draws closer to the national elections we can with some certainty, based on past experience, anticipate that political killings will become increasingly frequent.

These will be both inter-and intra-party affairs, as power hungry individuals seek both to promote their own aspirations as well as eliminate rival candidates on the inside or the outside.

That’s the sad reality, and we don’t relish having to publish the bloodshed when it arises.

There is a collective prayer that peace will prevail, but that’s unlikely, given the high stakes.

The same can be said outside of the political realm as we experience the daily reports of business corruption, double dealing, handouts, fraud, bribery and embezzlement allegations.

People will stop at nothing to grab their fair or unfair share of wealth, including ‘taking out’ those who stand in their way.

It was with great consternation that our immediate past edition reported on assertions made by a well -respected human rights campaigner to the effect that a number of fatal local ‘hits’ were linked to mining-related corruption.

Mary de Haas is one of the country’s leading authorities on such matters, the outcomes of her intensive investigations exposed in the ‘Violence Monitor’ publications.

She makes serious allegations regarding a number of high profile killings in the area, linking them to those who benefit illegally from mining operations and who allegedly assassinate or intimidate those who oppose their schemes.

Besides immediate financial benefit for those who have ‘cornered the tender market’, there is also the threat of removal from land under traditional authorities to make way for unspecified oil deals likely to benefit ‘stakeholders’.

De Haas speaks with authority, citing names and places.

Either she is right, or she is wrong.

Both scenarios call for thorough investigation – but here again she accuses the police either of disinterest or tardiness in their investigations, claiming that her correspondence is ignored.

This is, however, a two-edged sword.

Should police reveal the progress of their investigations, this information may well get back to the guilty parties and be used to their advantage.

One must add that it is not always a simple matter in deciding who in fact are the good or the bad guys, given the many agendas, the rewards at stake, and the version one has been given.

Be that as it may, De Haas has linked six assassinations and almost as many attempted hits to ongoing mining-related scenarios, with many others hiding for cover in the present climate of fear.

It’s a situation we can all do without and must be resolved.