Civil rights group #NotInMyName on Monday criticised the police and army following the death of a 40-year-old man who was allegedly killed during a crackdown in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg.
#NotInMyName secretary general Themba Masango said the police and soldiers have been selective in their application of the law in the enforcement of the country’s lockdown regulations.
“SAPS and SANDF conduct has regrettably been under scrutiny for enforcing the lockdown regulations based on race and class; [and] that poorer communities are the subject of the brutality and general violation of basic human rights. Consequently, the punishment for breaching lockdown regulations is not consistent across ordinary citizens and governmental leaders,” said Masango.
“NotInMyName hereby condemns the behaviour of SANDF and SAPS during the national lockdown.”
Masango said the death of the 40-year-old Collins Khoza brought the number of citizens who have since died at the hands of the police and army since the lockdown began on March 27, to nine.
“Khoza’s death has increased the number of people killed by the police and soldiers to nine for allegedly violating the national lockdown since its inception,” he said.
It is alleged that soldiers assaulted him for violating lockdown rules by consuming alcohol inside a yard with his friend, Thabiso Muvhango.
Last week, South Africans expressed anger at Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, after she flouted the lockdown regulations and had lunch with friends.
Former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana shared a photograph on Instagram showing them having a meal.
Ramaphosa placed Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months, one month of which will be unpaid.
The minister has since apologised.
African News Agency