ANC says its campaign against police brutality is not hypocritical

The African National Congress (ANC) has drawn a lot of criticism in its support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement – a campaign against police brutality, mostly centred in the United States.

The ANC’s critics have labelled the ruling party hypocritical for backing a movement beyond South African shores, while citizens within this country have also been subjected to police brutality.

ANC under fire following ‘Black Friday’ campaign

The latest protests that have dominated headlines in the past week were sparked by the death of George Floyd, who was killed while being arrested by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday 25 May.

The party has launched its own Black Friday campaign, where supporters of the movement are urged to wear black for the next three weeks in solidarity with African Americans.

This is despite incidents of brutality by law enforcement being reported in South Africa in recent weeks, most notably the death of Collins Khosa, who allegedly died as a result of excessive force by members of the defence force on Good Friday.

Ruling party’s priorities come under the spotlight

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe was on 702 Radio on Friday morning, where said the party’s actions were not hypocritical.

“The ANC has, on numerous occasions, in its own statement called on the police to act with maximum care and responsibility. So, we have done that all the time. We are not just speaking up on an issue just because it is happening in the US. Throughout the years, the ANC was never mum on issues that had (something) to do with human rights.”

Pule Mabe, ANC spokesperson

Mabe said that the party had also spoken out, following Khosa’s death.

He added that he hoped the Department of Defence and Military Veterans will soon provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In announcing the launch of Black Friday, ANC deputy secretary-general, Jessie Duarte said the campaign would also focus on police brutality within South Africa.

“The anti-racism campaign to be launched tomorrow will also highlight the racism in our own country and against security force brutality.”

Jessie Duarte, ANC deputy secretary-general

Other incidents of police brutality that have taken place under the ANC government include the brutal death of Andries Tatane, who was shot during a scuffle with police at a protest in Ficksburg in 2011, as well as the Marikana massacre, where 34 miners were killed during a wage strike in 2012.