Deep in rural Mpumalanga, mob mentality has reared its ugly head. An advocate who went to court last week to represent two men suspected of being child killers was assaulted by a mob outside the court who demanded that he stop representing the accused.The advocate, Nico du Plessis, says he fears returning to the court today. His crime was to seek justice for the accused, who have been charged with the murder of a three-year-old whose body has not been found.This incident goes to the heart of our justice system and the rule of law, which some are undermining.A community might be right to be enraged, but we cannot allow mob justice to rule our streets and our courts.Our emotions must not determine how we interpret the law.It is important that we raise our voices and condemn in the strongest possible way the attack on a lawyer who was simply complying with principles that our constitution and the bill of rights hold dear.People accused of a crime have every right to be represented in a court of law.If we allow mobs to decide how the courts operate, then we will have regressed to being governed by the law of the jungle.This incident exposes the lack of understanding in many communities of the principle that we are all equal before the law and should be treated as such.As we prepare for the local government elections later in the year, we should guard against mob mentality manifested in the form of vandalising election posters and banners, or in songs advocating intolerance.We have recently seen incidents of intolerance in the clash of political parties as they position themselves for the elections.It is important that our leaders speak out against mob justice and intolerance.The attack on advocate Du Plessis should be of concern to all of us.The accused must be afforded assistance to argue their case without fear or favour...