Yeah it works perfectly on paper, when it comes to the real world though you have cases that are drawn out so long that they get thrown out, you have people stealing dockets thus making the nullifying the case.
Then you have the piss poor sentencing and the criminal's cronies slipping through by becoming state witnesses. It's a shoddy system and it's not working properly. We have a huge problem with violent crime in this country, if the judicial system doesn't scare the criminals then I'm all for the cops being the ones to do it.
Or maybe kill two birds with one stone. Reduce crime AND provide employment. At the same time give a sense of satisfaction and meaning to the communities involved (a child rapist for e.g.). There has been much ‘deploring’ of lawless vigilantism when communities get pissed-off at the ineptness of the SAPS. I contend that, properly harnessed, vigilantism could be a way for the prey to strike back. This could well be the way forward.
Consider:
#1 A legal framework where the vigilante can only capture the crook (nothing more severe) and be paid a ‘bounty’ (there is enough money being squandered on useless law enforcement). This would go some way towards solving the poverty problem, provide honourable employment and immense job satisfaction (serving your community) and reduce crime drastically without spending vast amounts on law enforcement, which doesn’t work.
By reducing the number of lard-butted criminals-in-uniform, money can be better spent on the project. The retrenched lard-butts can take to a life of crime if they want to risk apprehension by their erstwhile ‘buddies’.
#2 The money saved can be better spent:
• On a smallish but competent and well equipped reaction force (SWAT team?) for those times when a bounty team is outgunned.
• A prosecution framework that actually works.
• Intelligence (to be fed to the vigilante team).
• Prisons.
Bounties on the heads of criminals should be available for public viewing. Vigilantes should register and indicate their intention to go after a specific criminal (free market principles will apply here – the higher the bounty, the more likely the chase – maybe outraged communities will contribute)?
NOTE:
This is not intended to imply that the bounty hunter is only some sort of Rambo figure (although he can be). Good enforcement depends on good intelligence. Consider the frail (but nosy) traditional little old lady peering through her lace curtains and noting the movement of people and vehicles in the neighbourhood. Having to listen to the spouse/child abuse next door. A string of these reporting to an individual or team of bounty hunters would provide a superb intelligence network. Bounties could be shared with the little old ladies. Poverty is partly alleviated, although employment would be on a ‘commission’ basis. If nothing else, competition like this should galvanise the useless SAPS to get off their lard butts and do their job.
Crime and employment issues are addressed. Communities partake of meaningful actions and make their communities safer. There is not enough gravy in the system to attract serious corruption Win/win.
My bad. Ill get less touchy.
Definitely ain't getting better 
God help Africa. Peace.