People Who Have Stolen from Me, Rough Justice in the New South Africa - David Cohen

Title: People Who Have Stolen from Me

Sub Title: Rough Justice in the New South Africa

Author: David Cohen

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Year: 2004

Number of pages: 264

ISBN: 9780312288693

Summary: A decade after the fall of apartheid, South Africa is attempting to rebuild itself as a safe, just and democratic society. But an exponential rise in property theft threatens to derail that future. In People Who Have Stolen From Me, journalist David Cohen looks at his native country through the microcosm of Jules Street, at once the longest straight street in Johannesburg and a rambunctious thoroughfare on which crooked men thrive. On Jules Street, Cohen tracks the tragicomic fortunes of two charismatic businessmen and their colorful coterie of employees, who include former carjackers. The furniture store owned by Harry Sher and Jack Rubin is caught in the middle of an undeclared war: they are raided, robbed and defrauded by gangs of criminals, customers, even some of their own trusted employees. The descendants of Jewish immigrants who came from Eastern Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, Harry and Jack welcome the new democracy but must deploy all their humor, cunning, and salesmen's instincts to counter the criminals who threaten their business and sometimes their lives.Spending time with the perpetrators as well as the victims, both white and black, Cohen reveals as never before the hidden psychology of the new South Africa. Some say they merely steal material goods, while the system of apartheid has robbed them of their future. If you steal something from someone who has stolen from you, they ask, is that crime? Or is that justice? People Who Have Stolen From Me is the dramatic but true story of life at the sharp end in a country at the crossroads. It is also a hilarious and universal tale about conscience, betrayal and trust.

Books are all in a used condition unless otherwise stated and may contain signs of wear and handling. Items are inspected before listing to ensure they are in an acceptable condition. Please ask questions if you need more details on an item's condition.

Books are shipped within one business day of checkout. If you select EFT as payment method, it may take somewhat longer for payment to reflect on our side before we are able to dispatch.

We offer Pargo Pickup (3-5 business days), local collection in Somerset West or Aramex door-to-door courier (1-2 business days). Shipping options can be selected at checkout.

We recommend Aramex courier as a fast no-contact delivery method available to all destinations within South Africa. Tracking number will be supplied once your shipment has been been processed.