18 DEAD IN LYNCHING THIS YEAR

Joseph Hanlon resumes a research article by Prof. Serra on lynchings

18 DEAD IN LYNCHINGS THIS YEAR


At least 18 people have been killed by lynch mobs in Beira, Chimoio and Maputo so far this year. Most have been young men accused of theft and other crimes, but in Chimoio three women were killed, at least one of whom was accused of witchcraft. In all three cities the police have rescued other people from lynch mobs.

In Chimoio in the early hours of 23 February mobs killed five people and stormed the police station to try to kill a dozen other prisoners allegedly being held there. Police fired at the crowd, killing between one and four people, according to Maputo newsletters; 100 people were arrested. The police station was seriously damaged and 11 houses destroyed.

On Thursday 28 February, Noticias reported that just the previous day, a sixth person was killed in Chimoio, allegedly for stealing maize from a field, and police saved six people from lynching in Beira, Maputo and Chimoio.

Sociologist Carlos Serra has been studying the phenomenon and an article posted on his website www.oficinadesociologia.blogspot.com is attached. It is the best discussion so far of the issue. He notes that the lynchings have taken place in dense outer neighbourhoods. People are poor and struggling for survival; a large number of young people have migrated to the cities and live by odd jobs and often illegal activities. People say their biggest problem is unemployment.

These neighbourhoods have no electricity and are very dark at night; gangs break into houses to steal money, TVs and stereos, and local residents are frightened at night. Police are distrusted and the government is seen as doing nothing to help these poor people. Like the street lights on main streets far away, the government seems distant from daily life..

For Serra the lynchings reflect three very different things. First is the real distrust of people going around in the dark. Second, the victims are scapegoats – for the residents burdened down with social problems and deprivations, attacking the victim is cathartic and the sins and burdens of the community are temporarily placed on the scapegoat. Third, Serra argues that the lychings are a message from the people to a government that does not reach them – namely that the community can organise its own life, has its own laws, and is capable of violence.