A crass intrusion
AN IMPORTANT aspect of a democratic society is that justice is dispensed calmly and dispassionately. Expert evidence is presented by both sides and by people trained in the law and, after careful deliberation, a conclusion is reached, the validity of which is explained in detail. The presiding officer also gives both sides the opportunity to argue in mitigation or aggravation.
This is in striking contrast to the uncivilised practice of kangaroo courts or lynch law, in which vigilantes arrogate to themselves the right to sit in judgment, and even to execute an alleged offender with or without the benefit of a trial.
Protests outside our courts constitute an unfortunate phenomenon because they represent an attempt to undo the heritage of dispassionate consideration of the facts in order to skew the outcome in favour of one side or the other.
Emotional reports in the media that stir up readers’ feelings for or against an accused are also to be deplored, because such “trials by media” are not in the interests of justice. In fact they contribute to undermining the justice system.
Once a court has reached a decision, all the parties involved want to achieve closure and get on with their lives.
The news that a film company is planning a biopic of the Oscar Pistorius case is not only a perversion of justice, but also a crass intrusion into the lives of the Steenkamp and Pistorius families.
Reeva Steenkamp’s family have distanced themselves from it, protesting that they were not consulted or involved. Her mother is trying to transform tragedy into something positive with her foundation in Reeva’s honour. It is something commendable from a mother who has endured so much pain.
Oscar’s family are equally appalled, insisting that the film is a gross misrepresentation of the truth.
Whether this is so or not is not the issue.
In a civilised society courts of law are mandated to seek the truth – not film companies intent on financial gain.
We roundly condemn this initiative as exploitative, mercenary and voyeuristic. It is our view it is also a distasteful way of trying to make money out of the agony of two families.