Three decades after the end of apartheid, the South African police force is still accused of using suffocation as an interrogation method, raising serious concerns about human rights and the legacy of a government formed by liberation fighters.
Persistent Torture Methods Resurface in South African Police Force
Persistent Torture Methods Resurface in South African Police Force
A shocking analysis uncovers the continued use of apartheid-era torture techniques within South Africa’s police, despite a commitment to human rights and dignity post-apartheid.
In a startling revelation, a recent analysis has shown that the South African police are still employing an interrogation technique reminiscent of the apartheid era, specifically one known as “tubing,” which involves suffocating suspects with plastic bags. This practice contradicts the nation’s post-apartheid constitution, which explicitly prohibits torture, and contrasts sharply with the ideals set forth by the African National Congress (ANC) when they ascended to power in 1994.
From 2012 to 2023, complaints against the police reveal that, on average, three individuals weekly reported instances of being subjected to tubing during questioning. This reveals a disturbing continuity of abuse that many believed had been eradicated with the end of apartheid.
“The leadership of the ANC, when they came to power, made it clear: No soul should be subjected to that,” expressed Khulu Mbatha, a veteran of the party, upon Learning of the report's findings. His reaction exemplifies the disappointment felt by many who had hoped for a complete break from the repressive tactics used by the previous regime.
The release of this information raises troubling questions about accountability within the police force and the government’s ability to uphold human rights. Despite international treaties ratified by South Africa aimed at preventing torture, the persistence of such practices sheds light on deeper systemic issues within the police apparatus.
Critics argue that the current government, comprised of those who once fought for freedom, must confront these grave injustices, or risk being complicit in perpetuating the cycle of violence that plagued the nation’s past. As South Africa continues to grapple with high crime rates, the methods used to combat criminality may inadvertently echo the violent legacies of oppression, necessitating urgent reforms and a recommitment to the principles of justice.
