Restorative Justice and the Regulatory State in South African Townships

Source: (2003) Justice Reflections: Worldwide papers linking Christian Ideas with Matters of Justice. Issue 3 (JR 13-20).

Declan Roche observes that restorative justice is associated most clearly in South Africa with the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is not as well known that restorative justice is also contributing to the day-to-day governance of South African townships. Hence, in this article Roche examines the work of local peace committees in townships. Placing them within the context of the restorative justice movement, he maintains that they display the core elements of restorative justice, as distinct from other forms of private and informal justice. He further contends that local peace committees are pursuing a more ambitious and radical agenda than most restorative justice programs.