UN: South Africa’s lockdown ‘one of the worst’ for police brutality

The United Nations (UN) has listed 15 countries which are allegedly taking the enforcement of lockdown regulations too far. It’s alleged that South Africa – currently dealing with 39 complaints of police brutality since our citizens were told to stay behind closed doors – is one of the worst offenders.

Mzansi has taken the unusual step of deploying almost every available soldier in the SANDF to help maintain law and order during this strict period of lockdown. Indeed, measures in SA rank amongst the most severe on the planet – this reflects in South Africa’s relatively low death and infection rates, but the peak is yet to happen.

Which countries have the toughest lockdowns?

Georgette Gagnon is a director of field operations for the UN. She has drawn up a list of 15 countries that are taking their emergency lockdown measures too far. Several African nations – including Nigeria and Kenya – have also been singled out for their heavy-handed policing.

• Nigeria
• Kenya
• South Africa
• The Philippines
• Sri Lanka
• El Salvador
• Dominican Republic
• Peru
• Honduras
• Jordan
• Morocco
• Cambodia
• Uzbekistan
• Iran
• Hungary

South Africa slammed for police brutality by the UN

SANDF soldiers have been caught forcing citizens into humiliating punishments for breaking lockdown laws. Police officers have committed several acts of violence, and there is even a rape case that is currently being processed here. Around 73 000 troops will be deployed on the streets until the end of June.

The government claim that these allegedly excessive measures are needed to drive home the inescapable nature of this global health crisis. But the culture of lockdown in South Africa has been branded “toxic” by Gagnon and her colleagues:

“There’s a toxic lockdown culture in some countries. In South Africa, the UN has received reports of police using rubber bullets, tear gas, water bombs and whips, to enforce social distancing, especially in poor neighbourhoods. Thirty-nine complaints including murder, rape, use of firearms and corruption are being investigated.”

Georgette Gagnon