We Ethiopians may not see eye to eye on many things. But one of things we may agree about is the treatment of thieves. If you catch a thief, just beat him up. Beat him up more. And even more. And much more. He has to have his lessons – so that he wouldn’t come around again. Only few would mind if a thief is killed ('murdered' would be the right word) while being beaten – after all he’s a thief.
I witnessed one of these thief beating ceremonies today. I heard some commotion going on the lane and I peered through my window. Some guys were chasing down a man. They caught him and immediately started beating him up. He allegedly stole two mobile phones from a computer store posing as a customer; it seemed that he was caught red handed. Others joined in the beating spree (just beat him up!). Nobody questioned if the beating was right. Then the building security personnel came out, took him inside. People were still beating him.
I went out and requested the people surrounding the thief not to beat him. I told them to call a cop. Nobody would listen to me. They almost started shouting at me; some of them even said I was an accomplice to the guy. One of them proposed the 'thief' should have his hands cut (we’re not in Saudi, dude!). I told them that they should call the police for an investigation and then it’s the court’s job to hand down a punishment. They said the 'thief' was caught red handed and no need to prove his guilt in a court. Finally the crowd dispersed leaving the ‘thief’ in the custody of the security personnel.
I felt like asking everybody present if they have never stolen anything in their life. I’m sure most of them have. Stationary from their office, misusing the phones in their office, avoiding taxes, over invoicing, etc. The list can go on.
I would say that what I saw there shows how ignorant we are in matters of individual rights and the savage in us comes up with the slightest of excuse. I abhorred the self righteous (holier-than-thou) attitude displayed in the crowd (who by the way may have stolen many things from their bosses, business partners, the state, etc).
I hope one day the age old adage will be changed to ‘leba teyizo polis yiteral’. ( If you catch a thief, call the police).
I witnessed one of these thief beating ceremonies today. I heard some commotion going on the lane and I peered through my window. Some guys were chasing down a man. They caught him and immediately started beating him up. He allegedly stole two mobile phones from a computer store posing as a customer; it seemed that he was caught red handed. Others joined in the beating spree (just beat him up!). Nobody questioned if the beating was right. Then the building security personnel came out, took him inside. People were still beating him.
I went out and requested the people surrounding the thief not to beat him. I told them to call a cop. Nobody would listen to me. They almost started shouting at me; some of them even said I was an accomplice to the guy. One of them proposed the 'thief' should have his hands cut (we’re not in Saudi, dude!). I told them that they should call the police for an investigation and then it’s the court’s job to hand down a punishment. They said the 'thief' was caught red handed and no need to prove his guilt in a court. Finally the crowd dispersed leaving the ‘thief’ in the custody of the security personnel.
I felt like asking everybody present if they have never stolen anything in their life. I’m sure most of them have. Stationary from their office, misusing the phones in their office, avoiding taxes, over invoicing, etc. The list can go on.
I would say that what I saw there shows how ignorant we are in matters of individual rights and the savage in us comes up with the slightest of excuse. I abhorred the self righteous (holier-than-thou) attitude displayed in the crowd (who by the way may have stolen many things from their bosses, business partners, the state, etc).
I hope one day the age old adage will be changed to ‘leba teyizo polis yiteral’. ( If you catch a thief, call the police).
4 comments:
You obviously never reported a crime wether with the perpetrateor identified or not.First of all you have to bring witneses with you to the station and you haveto go out and buy with your own money 12 pages of writing paper and a file and then you wait for hours until you get someone assigned to take the report that has to be writen at the same time. anway by the time you are done you will be there for a couple of hours.You have to pay bribe to the detectve so they can follow up the case.If the suspect pays more bribe than you he will walk out in a couple of days while your goods are kept in the evidence storage untill the ile is closed,that moght take a couple of years.
.By the way the leba prefers the punishment right there onthe spot,it is cheaper and he will not miss work even for a day.Do you know the usaid oil is legaly sold in auctions for cash by aid agencys to finance more pressing needs of the particular NGO?The oil is widely belived AYASEMAM .so why give oil people don't wan when you can give them something they can use from the sale of the oil?
Stay in Addis long enough and you will know why things happen the way they happen.
So far, your posts are well written unlike many other posts and literatures in the city but this one has a minor mistake of using "us" for "as"! Beterefe, good observation with challenging comment from anonymous!
To the first annon:
Thanks for the remark that the oil is sold legally. I will double check and perhaps write another post about it.
But about the thieves: I would say that you've wrongly assumed I'm new to Addis. I am not. And I know what you're saying. However, I still believe that two wrongs won't make a right....and so it doesn't mean that a 'thief' should be beaten just because crime reporting is tedious.
Addis Watch.
First time on your blog. Won't be my last. Absolutely loved it. I mean, I am hooked.
The leba & dula thing. Wow! what can I say? It's outrageous.
By the way, you are a good communicator. I felt homesick just from reading your blog. Long time since I had this feeling. Good or what? I can't put my finger on my feelings, yet.
Thank you, for your careful observation & written report of the beloved city, Addis Ababa.
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