‘Brutality erodes trust’
Enforcing lockdown rules requires public co-operation, not coercion
AFROBAROMETER, one of Africa’s leading research and polling organisations, is concerned that the incidents of brutality allegedly being carried out by the police and army, in the name of enforcing Covid-19 lockdown regulations, will lead to a breakdown of trust between the government and citizens.
In a report released over the weekend, titled Global Response to Covid19 in Africa Must Protect Lives, Livelihoods and Freedoms, the organisation said trust in government institutions – one of the most critical resources needed to mount effective societal responses that depended on widespread public co-operation – was sorely lacking in many African countries.
The report said that governments that lacked the capacity and moral authority to co-operatively engage their citizens in the Covid-19 response might resort to harsh coercive tactics. In that category, it cited alleged brutality by security forces in South Africa and Kenya.
“In recent weeks, we have witnessed Kenyan police tear-gassing ferry riders before their curfew was even set to start, and South African police beating citizens with sjamboks and shooting at nurses in their efforts to enforce lockdown restrictions.
“While public co-operation with restrictions is critical, violent enforcement will likely undermine trust even further,” the report read.
The sjambok cases in South Africa are not the only cases that have raised concerns, as there are reported cases of police and soldiers allegedly handing out arbitrary punishments to citizens who were out buying essential goods.
Police officers and soldiers are being investigated for two separate cases of murder – the deaths of 40-yearold Sibusiso Amos of Ekurhuleni and Collins Khoza of Alexandra.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said that while there were allegations on social media, authorities could only deal with cases that had been opened.
“What people are complaining about on social media platforms, for us it is not necessarily a report. It only becomes an official report if somebody opens a case,” Naidoo said.
SANDF spokesperson Brigadier Siphiwe Dlamini said the SANDF had noted the videos that were circulating on social media, and be they fake or real, they were a concern.
“Any action by members of the SANDF outside the law cannot be condoned.
“Our members are there to work with our people, to protect and save lives and build trust among citizens,” he said.
Dlamini said people who felt violated by the security forces should report incidents to the office of the Military Ombudsman and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.