South Africa 2010: Township justice

"We are in Diepsloot a township just outside Johannesburg, 50 kilometres away is Soccer City where the grand opening ceremony and the final itself of the 2010 World Cup will take place, but we could be in another world."

Security is a huge business in South Africa the affluent live in secure compounds, fenced off- invisible from the streets.

In the very poorest areas a more basic and brutal form of law and order is in place.

video-Murder accused Sydney Nhlapo in court on Friday

For almost a decade, it's alleged, a murder accused had isolated his family... rarely allowing them to leave their house.

Court frees boy prisoner

The Namibian Newspaper: "THE High Court yesterday ordered the immediate release of a 12-year-old boy who became Namibia's youngest sentenced prison inmate after receiving a six-month jail term for housebreaking and theft at Karasburg in October.

In a review judgement handed down by Judge Elton Hoff, Acting Judge Claus Hinrichsen set aside the boy's conviction and sentence and ordered his immediate release from detention.

Judge Hoff agreed with Acting Judge Hinrichsen's decision, which was based on the principle that a child as young as the boy is presumed not to be criminally liable, especially where he had been involved in a crime while under the influence and instructions of a much older person.
The boy was sentenced to six months' imprisonment on October 19, after he had been convicted in the Karasburg Magistrate's Court on a charge of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft."

Hohoe Police cell inmates beat up colleague

Ghana Today "Hohoe (V/R), Feb. 27, GNA - Inmates at Hohoe Police cell beat up a colleague for being so 'stupid' not to have taken some of the money that fell off as armed robbers escaped after looting a local bank.
Six armed robbers on Tuesday evening attacked the Hohoe branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank and took away an unspecified amount of money. The robbers held Mr Solomon Osei Bonsu, the Branch Manager of the Bank, at gunpoint, matched him to the strong room at about 1850 hours and took away the money."

SmallShop....Africa News