Let's give this project a chance

I was impressed to learn yesterday that Bianca Warbuton's alleged killers have all been arrested, three days after the fact. Warbuton was shot to death during a botched hijacking at the London Road and 1st Street intersection in Alexandra on Wednesday last week.

 She had reportedly been working at Alexandra Clinic as an intern while studying maters in psychology at our own Wits University. The news of her untimely death raised fears in my research group. The fact that we pass through the crime scene every time we go to Alex is a reason enough to panic. You just don't know who is next.

 When I announced to my colleaques that I am going to Alex on Friday for interviews, one of them said, "watch up on London Road!"  For a moment, I was quiet and asking myself whether I really wanted to go back there despite the warnings. "But I have to complete my research," I said to myself.

In addition to a challenge of  having to deal with unreliable potential interviewees, I also have to expose myself to cold-blooded criminals like Ntembiso Msalaku, Moffat Mthoti and Mphumuzi Gumede who admitted to the gunning down of Warbuton. I take solace in the fact that police have been able to arrest them. Thumbs up to the Alexandra cluster trio task team!

I was happy to learn also that the arrests were facilitated by a tip-off from the community. In a bid to receive a lighter sentence, if found guilty, Msalaku told the Alexandra Magistrate's Court that Warbuton's killing "was a mistake". Come on, you don't need to be a lawyer to understand his tactics. Is he trying to say that their aim was not to kill her, but just to scare her?

 The fact that they carried a lethal weapon during their botched criminal act should be the basis to infer their intention to kill, a prerequisite for the crime of murder. Beside, the legal principle of common purpose must prevail.Let me pause here before I am accused of trying to influence the outcome of these three "alleged" killers' case. I just hope wannabe criminals learnt from this incident, and will abandon their criminal intentions. Remember, it's for the sake of the common good.

By creating a safe and conducive environment for my research group to execute their daily duties fearlessly, the entire Alex community, wannabe criminals included, will be contributing to a better South Africa which we can all proudly call our home.  The findings of this research project will also help in terms of changing your lives for the better.

 I have no doubt that the findings thereof will materially influence policy decisions on the part of the government. So, please, let's not temper with this project. While I understand the link between poverty and crime, I doubt that the use of violence to address your plight will positively change your lives. Let's give this project a chance.

You are welcome to leave me a comment.