Worst Cases of Malicious Damage
As we march inexorably towards an age of ill discipline and rampant behaviour in all forms and fashions, more and more cases of malicious damage to property are reported on a regular basis, South Africa not being the only country under the cosh of violent and inappropriate behaviour.
Guy Fawkes Day earmarked by riotous revellers
Recent reports in the daily tabloids of the United Kingdom have earmarked the 5th of November, or Guy Fawkes Day, as one of the days when malicious damage to property (and we aren't talking fireworks) is commonplace. Intentional damage to motor vehicles and private property seems to have taken over from the thrill of 'Jumping Jacks', 'Roman Candles' and 'Sky Rockets' of days gone by.
Reports of arson in the UK also rocket on Guy Fawkes, named after one of a group of English Roman Catholic revolutionaries who was caught red-handed before he had time to obliterate the House of Lords together with the reigning monarch of the day, King James I.
Local insurance companies are already beefing up their support staff to deal with the inordinate volume of claims resulting from damage to property ' makes one wonder what's in store for the English over Christmas and the New Year.
Personal insurance critical
In 2007, over 143,000 cases of malicious damage to property were reported in South Africa, a substantial decrease from 2004 when well over 158,000 cases were investigated by police. Although there has been a significant decline in damages claims, personal insurance in South Africa remains critical.
Some of the cases that have made headlines recently suggest that malicious damage to property is not confined to a specific social or economic group and that everyone is vulnerable to this type of attack and needs to ensure they are adequately covered.
Affluent matrics trash school
One of the more recent cases that certainly got eyebrows raised in consternation was the 'Operation Mayhem' debacle at one of Cape Town's leading private schools. Matric students went on the rampage as part of their year-end celebrations and caused extensive damage to school property. Benches, rubbish bins and ladders were hurled into the swimming pool by drunkards and unpleasant graffiti was spray painted on the walls ' conduct most certainly unbecoming of a gentleman.
Woman stripped of trousers
In Umlazi, 4 men are facing charges of assault, malicious damage to property and intimidation after they stripped a young woman's pants off in public. The men allegedly took umbrage to the fact that she was wearing pants, a view echoed by community leaders who had imposed a ban on women wearing trousers. The woman was not only totally humiliated by being forced to walk the streets half naked but the mob burnt her house to the ground as well!
Learners run amok in 'witchcraft' claim
In Newcastle, learners ran riot when the Education Department re-instated their former principal. The woman was forced to leave the school in 2006 after she was accused of practicing witchcraft. When the learners caught sight of her, they went totally berserk and stoned both her and the department escort, some of whom were taken to a nearby clinic for treatment. Motor vehicles were torched, an ex-pupil arrested and a case of assault and malicious damage to property is being investigated by the police.