South African Police Service Attack Poor People
17/11/2009
South Africa
Quote: “A group of Durban shack dwellers say that local police attacked, abused, and intimidated residents on Friday night. It's the third alleged police-related attack in two months. But why would authorities target a group of shack dwellers?
Our Observer says that the November 13 attack is part of a mission to get rid of an increasingly powerful shack dwellers' rights group which is critical of ruling party ANC. Just two months ago the police failed to react to fatal clashes (see video below) in the neighbouring shantytown of Kennedy Road - which is also home to the movement. Activists condemned the violence as "coordinated" and the police as "complicit", in an open letter to President Jacob Zuma, which received over 1,250 signatures.
Quote: “They tore through the settlement, kicking down doors, issuing beatings with fists, batons, and even household items. The police shot, at random, with live ammunition, within close range of people and their homes. They assaulted both women and men. One man was told by police officers that ‘This is to teach you people a lesson'.”
Quote: “The police always make their arrests on Fridays or on public holidays as it is difficult to get a lawyer at these times and people can be held (and sometimes assaulted in detention) until the courts reopen. The police systematically abuse their powers to arrest and detain people as a form of intimidation. They routinely arrest and detain people when they know very well that they have no evidence against them and will not be able to go to trial."
