Protests against the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma continue to erupt across South Africa, with numerous reports of looting, damage to property and violence emerging through social and mainstream media throughout the weekend and continuing.
The SAHRC, through its Chairperson, Advocate Bongani Majola, is urging the leadership of all major political parties and appealing to and calling upon them to reaffirm their collective support for the rule of law and urge their members and supporters to cease all violent protest action.
“The SAHRC calls on all political parties, particularly those represented in Parliament, to set aside their political differences and, at the very least, issue strong statements condemning the violence and call for calm amongst all South Africans, including their members.”
The destruction of property, blockages of national roads, rampant looting of economic zones and burning of buildings will have severe implications for our already ailing economy and result in further job losses and exacerbate hunger. Furthermore, the continuing disregard of the COVID-19 protocols remains a concern in view of high levels infections and deaths.
We call on those who continue to inflame and indulge in flagrant violence upon persons, livelihoods and property, to desist immediately. We also call upon the SAPS to act decisively against those who continue to flout the Rule of Law and violate the rights we all have to safety and security.”
The Commission upholds the rights of everyone to differ and to protest and demonstrate.
“However, the Constitution directs that such should be done peacefully, which means that differences should be discussed and debated rather than settled through violence. It should be recalled that the judicial process in this matter continues.”
Further, the SAHRC re-iterates that there is a constitutional obligation in terms of section 165 of Constitution, for each of us to protect the independence, dignity and effectiveness of the courts and the importance of respecting decisions of the courts.”
It is imperative that the decisions of the courts be respected by all within South Africa and that all violent and damaging protest end at once. For the South African constitutional democracy to remain stable, secure and effective, institutions should be able to have their constitutional mandates respected.
