Political repression in post-apartheid South Africa
South Africa has a liberal constitution that protects all basic political freedoms. However there have been a number of incidents of political repression as well as threats of future repression in violation of this constitution leading some analysts, civil society organisations and popular movements to conclude that there is or could be a new climate of political repression[1][2] or a decline in political tolerance.[3] Some have linked this to an increase in the influence of the 'security cluster' under the Jacob Zuma presidency.[4] It has been argued that "Zuma has enhanced the coercive capacity of the state".[5]
Threats to Media Freedom
Under Jacob Zuma the ANC has expressed open opposition to media freedom.[6] Serious concern has been expressed about the proposed Media Appeals Tribunal and Protection of Information Bill which, if passed, would significantly reduce press freedom.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
There have been a number of reports of serious intimidation of journalists.[14] In Port Elizabeth the chairperson of the ruling African National Congress, Nceba Faku, has called for party supporters to burn down the offices of the local newspaper the Daily Dispatch.[15] In Durban ANC supporters have publicly burnt copies of the City Press newspaper.[16] In 2007 the Freedom of Expression Institute and the Mercury newspaper reported a death threat against a journalist in Durban by controversial local businessman Ricky Govender who claims close links with Jacob Zuma.[17] Piet Rampedi and Adriaan Bassoon was subject to various threats and forms of intimidation while covering a story on corruption by Julius Malema.[18] In July 2012 Nic Dawes, Sam Sole and Stefaans Brummer, journalists at the Mail & Guardian, were questioned by the police following the publication of a story alleging corruption by senior ANC leader Mac Maharaj.[19]
Unlawful State Bans on Protests
There have been a number of independently documented cases where the constitutionally protected right to protest has not been honoured by the state.[20][21][22][23] One particularly well documented instance occurred in Durban in 2006[24] and another in Cape Town in 2012.[25] It has been argued that both Democratic Alliance and African National Congress controlled municipalities engage in unlawful bans on the right to protest.[26] It has also been suggested that recent judicial interventions amount to a de facto curtailment of the right to protest.[27]
Police Repression
Militarisation of the Police
The police, which were demilitarised after apartheid have been remilitarised.[28] In the view of some analysts this has contributed to escalating repression.[29] Concern has also been expressed at the idea that the army should support the police in containing popular protest.[30]
There have been numerous allegations from activists in grassroots social movements about assaults at the hands of the police.[31] For instance it was reported that S'bu Zikode and Philani Zungu were arrested and assaulted while on the way to a radio interview in 2006.[32] In September 2010 four residents of Hangberg, in Hout Bay, near Cape Town were shot in the face at close range by police with rubber bullets leading to the loss of their eyes.[33] In January 2012 it was reported that Ayanda Kota was assaulted in the Grahamstown police station.[34][35]
Police Harassment of Journalists
In 2010 journalists Mzilikazi waAfrika was arrested at the offices of the Sunday Times. Charges against him were later dropped.[36] waAfrika's phone was also unlawfully tapped by the police.[37]
Police Torture of Activists
There has been general concern about police torture in South Africa[10][11], which has been described as "occurring en masse" and "spiralling out of control",[38] and organisations such as the Landless People's Movement[39] have documented cases in which activists and protesters have been tortured.[40][41] There were media reports of police torture of activists in Wessleton, Ermelo, in 2011.[42][43]
People killed by the police during protests
A number of unarmed protesters have been killed by the South African Police Service since 2000.[44] The ICD has reported a rise in police violence against protesters since 2010.[45] The following list is not complete:
- Michael Makhabane Durban, 2000[46]
- Dennis Mathibithi (17) and Nhlanhla Masuku (15), Kathlehong, 2004[47]
- Tebogo Mkhonza (17), Harrismith, 2004[48]
- Monica Ngcobo, (19) Durban, 2005[49]
- Unnamed Man, Kenville, Durban, 2006[50]
- Jan Matshobe, (27) Sebokeng, Johannesburg, 2008[51]
- Mthokozisi Nkwanyana, (24) Durban, 2008 [52]
- Unnamed girl, KwaZakhele, KwaZulu-Natal, 2009[53]
- Phuphu Mthwethwa (29), Piet Retief, 2009[54]
- Priscilla Sukai (46) eTwatwa, Daveyton, 2010[55]
- Unnamed man, Lion Park, Johannesburg, 2010[56]
- Anna Nokele (19), Welkom, 2010[57]
- Two unnamed children, Boipelo, Gauteng, 2011[58][59]
- Solomon Madonsela[60] and Bongani Mathebula[61] Ermelo, 2011[45]
- Joseph Msiza, Tshwane, 2011[62][63]
- Petros Msiza (43), 2011 Pretoria[64]
- Andries Tatane (33), Ficksburg, 2011[48]
- Dimakatso Kgaswane and another unnamed person, Tlokweng, Swartruggens, 2011[65]
- Three unnamed people in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, 2011[66]
- Mxolisi Buthelezi, (14), Durban, 2012 (an onlooker, not a protester)[67]
Political Violence Against Activists
Organisations such as the Landless People's Movement[68], Abahlali baseMjondolo[69][70][71] and the Unemployed People's Movement[72][73] have been subject to armed political violence by groups claiming to represent the ruling ANC. There have also been cases where ANC supporters have disrupted protests organised by independent groups. One example of this was the attempt to disrupt a protest by the the Moretele Concerned Communities Association in May 2012.[74]
Death Threats Against Activists
There have been reports of death threats against activists in Ermelo (2011),[75], in Grahamstown (2011)[76], in eTwatwa on the East Rand (2010),[77] and in Durban (2006, 2009, 2012).[70][71][78][79][80][81]
Unsolved Murders of Activists Claimed to be Political Assassinations
- Sinethemba Myeni, 12 April 2006, Umlazi, Durban, independent activist (former SACP)[82]
- Mazwi 'Komi' Zulu, 3 May 2006, Umlazi, Durban, independent activist (former SACP)[83]
- Bomber 'Radioman' Ntshangase, 4 May 2012, Mpumlanga, SACP leader, Mpumalanga[84]
Political Violence by MK Veterans
- Alpheus Moseri (68) collapsed and died following an assault by MK Veterans at a lecture given by Jacob Zuma[85]
Also See
Further reading
- Arresting Dissent: State Repression and Post-Apartheid Social Movements, Dale McKinley & Ahmed Veriava, Centre for the Study of Violence & Reconciliation, 2005
- Amandla! Protest in the New South Africa, Simon Delaney, Freedom of Expression Institute, May 2007
- Independent Report into Political Violence Against the Landless People's Movement, Jared Sacks, International Alliance of Inhabitants, 2010
- The 'Gatvol' Factor, Jane Duncan, SACSIS, January 2011
- Political tolerance on the wane in South Africa, Imraan Buccus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, SA Reconciliation Barometer, 2011
- The Work of violence: a timeline of armed attacks at Kennedy Road, Kerry Chance School of Development Studies Research Report, 83, University of KwaZulu-Natal, July 2010.
- Police brutality and service delivery protests, by Mphutlane wa Bofelo, Pambazuka News, 21 April 2011
- Dissent Under Thabo Mbeki, Jane Duncan, May 2011, Professor Jane Duncan, Rhodes University, May 2011
- State Violence, Richard Pithouse, SACSIS, May 2011
- Amnesty International South Africa Report 2011
- ICD: Rise in police abuse at service delivery protests, Emsie Ferreira, Mail & Guardian, 14 June 2011
- ANC ratchets up its anti-media campaign in provinces, Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 6 July 2011
- If They Come for You, Who Will Speak Out?, by Jane Duncan, 7 July 2011
- No Easy Path Through the Embers: resistance and repression in South Africa’s shack settlements, Counterfire, Richard Pithouse, August 2011
- The Reign of Thugs, by Pedro Tabensky, January 2012
- Notes on a Crushed Protest, by Ben Fogel, February 2012
- The Struggle for Street Politics, Jane Duncan, February, 2012
- With Enough Bullets, Christopher McMichael, March, 2012
Notes and references
- ^ The Return of State Repression, Professor J. Duncan, South African Civil Society Information Services, 31 May 2010
- ^ Increasing police repression highlighted by recent cases, Freedom of Expression Institute, 2006
- ^ Political tolerance on the wane in South Africa, Imraan Buccus, SA Reconciliation Barometer, 2011
- ^ Jane Duncan on the ever-increasing power of SA's security cabal, Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 16 June 2011
- ^ The 'Gatvol' Factor, Jane Duncan, SACSIS, January 2011
- ^ Jacob Zuma and the second transition: The print media, Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 18 June 2012
- ^ FXI makes submissions to Parliament on the Protection of Information Bill
- ^ The Real Fear Factor: Secrecy as the Mask of Power, Dr. Dale T. McKinley, South African Civil Society Information Services, 11 April 2011
- ^ Revise Protection of Information Bill , ‘’Human Rights Watch’’, November 2010
- ^ a b Amnesty red flag police brutality, Craig Dodds, 13 May 2011
- ^ a b Amnesty International South Africa Report 2011
- ^ The Secrecy Bill: Speak Now or Forever be Gagged, by Dale T. McKinley, SACSIS, 8 June 2011
- ^ The 'Gatvol' Factor, Jane Duncan, SACSIS, January 2011
- ^ ANC ratchets up its anti-media campaign in provinces, Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 6 July 2011
- ^ Faku: Burn down the press, LUYOLO MKENTANE, The Daily Dispatch, 20 May 2011
- ^ ‘Spear’ fury shatters Haffajee, Shain Germaner, IOL, 28 May 2012
- ^ Police repression in Protea South an indicator of a national trend, Freedom of Expression Institute, 5 September 2007
- ^ The price of investigating Julius Malema, Greg Nicholson, The Daily Maverick, 23 July 2012
- ^ M&G journalists warned of criminal charges, Phillip de Wet, Mail & Guardian, 26 July 2012
- ^ Amandla! Protest in the New South Africa, Simon Delaney, Freedom of Expression Institute, May 2007
- ^ Dissent Under Thabo Mbeki, Jane Duncan, May 2011], Jane Duncan, May 2011
- ^ The Struggle for Street Politics, Jane Duncan, February, 2012
- ^ The 'Gatvol' Factor, Jane Duncan, SACSIS, January 2011
- ^ FXI welcomes court ruling on Shack Dwellers' Movement's right to hold demonstration, Freedom of Expression Institute, 2006
- ^ Siessa Patricia!, by Pierre de Vos, Constitutionally Speaking, 30 January 2012
- ^ Rondebosch protest: Charges withdrawn, Ben Fogel, Mail & Guardian, 31 January 2012
- ^ Penalizing Protest Action, Anna Majavu, SACSIS, 19 June 2012
- ^ Green Zone Nation: The South African government’s new growth path, Christopher McMichael, Open Democracy, 19 March 2012
- ^ With Enough Bullets, Christopher McMichael, March, 2012
- ^ The re-militarisation of South Africa’s borders, Christopher McMichael, Open Democracy, July 2012
- ^ Ayanda Kota lays assault charge against police - UPM, 18 January 2012
- ^ 'I was punched, beaten', Niren Tolsi, Mail & Guardian, 16 September 2006,
- ^ Penalizing Protest Action, Anna Majavu, SACSIS, 19 June 2012
- ^ Outcry over ‘savage assault’, ADRIENNE CARLISLE and DAVID MACGREGOR, The Daily Dispatch, 14 January 2012
- ^ Grahamstown activist arrested for book theft FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, Jan 13 2012
- ^ Clampdown feared as journalist arrested, Dominic Mahlangu, The Times, 4 August 2010
- ^ Another View: Time to oversee the officials who spy on us, Jane Duncan, The Times, 30 October 2011
- ^ 'Predator police' in reign of terror, GRAEME HOSKEN, The Times', 30 April 2012
- ^ The Landless People's Movement and the Failure of Post-Apartheid Land Reform, Stephen Greenberg, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005
- ^ Torture and misuse of lethal force by security forces must end, Amnesty International, 1999
- ^ Briefing for the Committee against Torture, Amnesty International, 2006
- ^ Community leader lives in fear of his life Lungile Dube, Mail & Guardian, Apr 01 2011
- ^ Violence on tape confirms police tactics, KWANELE SOSIBO, Mail & Guardian, Mar 25 2011
- ^ State Violence, Richard Pithouse, SACSIS, 2011
- ^ a b ICD: Rise in police abuse at service delivery protests
- ^ Two student protesters killed by police in Durban, South Africa
- ^ Police shoot dead two high school pupils resisting eviction, Report by Anti-Privatisation Forum Kathorus Concerned Residents (KCR), 19/02/04
- ^ a b Tatane’s death opens old wounds for family, City Press, Lucas Ledwaba, 2004
- ^ On the Murder of Andries Tatane, Richard Pithouse, All Africa, April 2011
- ^ Business as Usual: Housing Rights in Durban, South Africa, Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions, Geneva, 2008
- ^ Activist killed by South African police at demonstration against water privatisation, IndyMedia Ireland, 2008
- ^ Unisa student's body released from mortuary, Gugu Mbonambi, Daily News, 2008
- ^ We Are All the Public, The Witness', 20 July 2009
- ^ Service Delivery Protests: Findings from Quick Response Research on Four 'Hot spots', by Luke Sinwell, Joshua Kirshner, Kgopotso Khumalo, Owen Manda, Peter Pfaffe, Comfort Phokela & Carin Runciman with Peter Alexander, Claire Ceruti, Marcelle Dawson, Mosa Phadi; Centre for Sociological Research, University of Johannesburg, 2009
- ^ Two deaths, dozens of injuries and counting..., Jared Sacks, Abahlali.org, July 2010
- ^ Man shot during protest dies, SAPA, IOL, Oct 2010
- ^ Police brutality, Leadership Magazine, 25 April 2011
- ^ South Africa Police open fire on protesters following 3rd day of aggressive action, USAfricaOnline, 16 Feb 2011
- ^ SA police fire rubber bullets, Herald, 16 Feb 2011
- ^ Ermelo Residents See No Reason To Vote, Dianne Hawker, IOL, 20 February 2011
- ^ 100 victims of police brutality take action, Sizwe Sam Yende, City Press, 8 May 2011
- ^ ‘We want jobs now’, IOL, 4 March 2011
- ^ 1,200 strikers face axe, IOL, 5 March 2011
- ^ South African union activist killed: Demand justice now, Public Services International, 2011
- ^ Protesters shot dead, The Sowetan, JUN 1, 2011 | ALFRED MOSELAKGOMO
- ^ R7bn cop brutality price tag, By Graeme Hosken, IOL, 9 June 2011
- ^ Youngster shot dead in crossfire, by Slindile Maluleka and Silusaphu Nyanda, Daily News, 4 July 2012
- ^ Independent Report into Political Violence Against Landless People's Movement, Jared Sacks, International Alliance of Inhabitants, 2010
- ^ Report: Experiences of Abahlali baseMjondolo in Durban, South Africa, by Malavika Vartak, Development Planning Unit of University College London
- ^ a b The Work of violence:a timeline of armed attacks at Kennedy Road, Kerry Chance School of Development Studies Research Report, 83, July 2010
- ^ a b Failure to conduct impartial investigation into Kennedy Road violence is leading to further human rights abuses, Amnesty International, December 2009
- ^ Umlazi uprising faces bullets, arrests, FATIMA ASMAL-MOTALA, 29 June 2012
- ^ Update from Ward 88 in Umlazi, Durban, Unemployed People's Movement, 27 June 2012
- ^ Right2Know Condemns Disruption of Community, Right2Know Campaign, June 2012
- ^ Community leader lives in fear of his life Lungile Dube, Mail & Guardian, Apr 01 2011
- ^ Ayanda Kota: Unapologetic ANC apostate, Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick 2012
- ^ Independent Report into Political Violence Against the Landless People's Movement, Jared Sacks, International Alliance of Inhabitants
- ^ Ruling in Abahlali case lays solid foundation to build on, Marie Huchzermeyer, 04 Nov 2009
- ^ We Are All S'bu Zikode, Amandla Magazine, 2012
- ^ Umlazi Political Violence Crisis, Abahali baseMjondolo, 2006
- ^ Motala Heights: Crisis Deepens as Violent Intimidation Against the Strong Poor Continues, Abahlali baseMjondolo, 2008
- ^ Umlazi Political Violence, Press Statement, 2006
- ^ Umlazi Political Violence, Press Statement, 2006
- ^ 1http://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/commentary/2011/07/31/is-the-sacp-still-relevant Is the SACP still relevant?], Jeremy Cronin, The Times, 31 July 2012
- ^ Brutal 'ANC vets' in the firing line, Michelle Pieterson, Mail & Guardian, 13 July 2012
External links