Protect constitution that protects you

South Africa has one of the best constitutions in the world, but it did not come cheaply.

A lot of blood was shed for it. The democratic dispensation of 1994 afforded us an opportunity to build a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it. This means building a rainbow nation where we all live in peace and harmony.

For that harmony to exist, the rule of law must hold for all. The constitution is worthless if we act against it.

There have been a number of incidents in which people have shown disregard for our constitution.

The violent protests that are a common occurrence in our country do not demonstrate respect for the rule of law.

Recently, the people of Malamulele, Limpopo, were involved in a massive protest that brought the area to a standstill and made it impossible for children to go to school.

On Monday in Soweto, after a foreign national allegedly shot and killed a 14-year-old, residents began looting and setting alight foreign-owned shops.

These are just two of the many examples that show too many citizens are ignoring the constitution and behaving like a law unto themselves.

South Africa is not a banana republic, therefore law enforcement must do its job to protect not only the people but also the constitution.

Foreign nationals must understand this is not an anarchic state where they can do as they please, carry unlicensed firearms and kill people.

If this is the norm in their countries, they must not make it a habit here.

By the same token, if there is a crime, citizens must report it to the police rather than become criminals themselves.