The Circle of Corruption
In 2012, South African police were called in to address a strike at the Marikana mountain, where protesting miners were camped outside. However, once they arrived, police opened fire and killed 34 of the miners (Human Rights Watch 1). The police of South Africa have been technically completing their assignments, but have been wielding a surplus of force and a lack of humanity. Between the continual use of rubber bullets and tear gas, along with the torture and rape which occurs in police custody, the South African police force has been a growing issue since the end of apartheid laws (Morrison 1). The central issue roots around the government’s ignorance of social issues, both regarding the corruption of the police and neglect of social and economical reforms.
The South African government is known for its corruption and the police are not exempt from this problem. The leadership of the police force ignore maltreatment of criminals and are even known to encourage it. In November of 1998, the members of the North East Rand Dog Unit set their dogs upon 3 illegal immigrants while brutally beating and verbally abusing them during what was deemed a “training exercise” (Bruce 11-2). This incident was caught on tape, yet all of the abusers were let off on bail. In 2013, 8 police officers tied citizen Mido Macia to the back of their truck by his arms, then dragged him along a tarmac road. He later died in police custody due to excessive trauma from that incident. It was only this year that 2 of the police officers were sentenced to 15 years of prison. The members of the police force have been offered poor training due to a lack of government involvement. Furthermore, commanders are unaffected when large spectacles of torture occur. In fact, “according to David Bruce, senior researcher at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, ‘It is clear that police management does not know what is going on. There is a clear absence of understanding from police leadership on how to deal with the use of force’” (Hoesken 1). Furthermore, in Bruce’s article on police brutality, he writes, “major exposure to violent crime and high levels of fear contribute to desensitising and dehumanising members of the police service.”
The corruption of the police force is not solely due to a lack of training. South Africa has high rates of violence as well as high unemployment rates, leaving 12 million citizens unemployed. The government’s failure to answer to the economic, political and social issues has led to an increase of riots. There is a lack of adequate housing, issues between students and university staff, and problems between workers and employers regarding wages. Recently, a student riot against a decision of a university to remove a student run council became violent when police became involved. They used both rubber and metal bullets along with tear gas to quell it, but students began setting buildings on fire as a form of rebellion (Brandlin 1). According to a recent publication by the Socioeconomic Rights Institute, “the recent wave of protests has resulted in the police playing a significant role in managing community dissatisfaction and frustration” (Jadoo 2).
The South African Police Force has had a long record of reported incidents which must be resolved. This is due to poor governmental training, along with a substanital rise in crimes and riots. Currently, the United Nations Committee on Human Rights is gearing up to investigate these reports and the numerous accounts of torture and maltreatment by police officers throughout South Africa. In the near future, the issues dealing with humanity and maltreatment in South Africa will be adressed, and hopefully, solved.
Works Cited
Brandlin, Anne-Sophie. "South Africa: Student Protests End in Violence and Flames." AllAfrica.com.
25 Feb. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Bruce, David. "Police Brutality in South Africa." Police Brutality in South Africa. 2000. Web. 07
Mar. 2016.
Hosken, Graeme. "Why SA Cops Are so Brutal." Why SA Cops Are so Brutal. CSVR. Web. 07 Mar.
2016.
Jadoo, Yadhana. "UN to Probe Police Brutality in SA." The Citizen. 4 Mar. 2016. Web. 07 Mar.
2016.
Morrison, Aaron. "Police Brutality On Rise In South Africa: Officers Accused Of Killing, Raping
Citizens." International Business Times. 01 Oct. 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"World Report 2016: South Africa." Human Rights Watch. 06 Jan. 2016. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how your article is very informative! In some way I was aware that police brutality was an issue in South Africa, but I wasn't aware to which extent. What is a potential way that this issue could be resolved?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of your article is how you seem to be very invested in your writing, I can tell you feel strongly about this topic. What led you to chose Police cruelty?
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by how many different incidents there were where there was police brutality. Police brutality is a very common and serious issue. Is there anything the government is doing to prevent it?
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by how many different incidents there were where there was police brutality. Police brutality is a very common and serious issue. Is there anything the government is doing to prevent it?
ReplyDeleteI like the connection you made between unemployment and police brutality/crime, and I learned that although there is still a tremendous amount of power associated with the police force, reforms are slowly but surely happening (those two police officers were sent to prison). How did you go about choosing this topic for your article?
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the fact that this article was so informative. I learned a lot about all of the incidents involving South Africa's police. What inspired you to write about this issue?
ReplyDeleteI thought that the topic of police brutality in South Africa was very interesting. I learned a lot about how prevalent the issue is and a lot of the incidents involving South African police brutality. How do you think it can be stopped?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting how not only is the police in South Africa corrupt, but also the rest of the so called
ReplyDelete"judicial system" there where even the judges are biased. This article showed me the prevalence of police brutality in South Africa and its effect on the population. What stood out to you about this topic that caused you to choose it?