Thief

Outside my office, there is a loud, piercing scream. My office-mates quickly run outside and I follow. A man has been stripped naked and is being beaten on the ground by another man’s bare hands. His knees and elbows are bony and his lips are full of blood, staining his teeth a color I’ve seen in the sunset. Fifteen spectators gather at the scene. They laugh and hoot and clap their hands.

“He is a thief,” says Deenie. “He was trying to steal car mirrors. This is what happens to thieves in Africa.”

The thief begins to cry and begs the man beating him to stop. After a few more slaps, he is released, slowly rising to his feet. He stumbles down the street, naked and whimpering.

“He got off easy this time,” says Deenie. “Often they are killed.”