Zuma is urged to act
SOUTH Africa risks being like Zimbabwe when it comes to human rights violations, and President Jacob Zuma has been asked to act before it is too late.
The country was warned yesterday by Human Rights Watch that its status was spiralling down as a result of introducing the “draconian” secrecy bill, police brutality during protests, corruption in government and xenophobic attacks.
This downward trend is also caused by the country’s skewed foreign policy, according to the HRW World Report 2014 released yesterday.
“South Africa remains a beacon of hope and has a strong constitution but the attacks on the free media through the Protection of State Information Bill is one example why it is taking a turn for the worst, ” said HRW’s Southern Africa director Tiseke Kasambala.
“Zuma must not sign this bill into law until concerns by civil society are addressed.”
There has been outrage about lack of protection for whistleblowers and journalists exposing issues of public interest.
Journalists or whistle-blowers can be arrested for reporting the information, even on corruption, deemed classified by the state.
The gunning down of striking miners in Marikana cast a dark cloud on South Africa.
“Human rights violations are taking a turn for the worst in the country. It seems every time there is a protest police act in a heavyhanded way. President Zuma must ensure police adhere to guidelines and use proportionate force,” Kasambala said.
Recently, police shot dead two people during a service delivery protest in Mothutlung in North West. Another man died after he was pushed off a moving police Nyala.