EFF commends KZN police for practicing restraint in Nkandla demonstrations

6 July 2021

The Economic Freedom Fighters commends the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, who practiced discipline and restraint at Nkandla, during the demonstrations at the former President Jacob Zuma's homestead.

Despite reported provocation, and nauseating calls by bloodthirsty racists and their agents on social media, the police at Nkandla handled the situation in a manner that must be applauded, avoiding violence and loss of life.

It is this calibre of policing that must underpin the attitude of all law-enforcement agencies. When confronted by political dissent and protests, all SAPS Departments must resist the urge to inflict violence against protesters under the guise of upholding the law.

The law does not demand of the police to exercise brutality, rather, police must be strategic and prioritise the lives of people above cheap attempts of proving their strength and authority. The actions of SAPS in Nkandla were decisive, considered and mean that the nation avoided another Marikana moment.

Workers were mercilessly slain in Marikana, because of egos that wanted to prove a point to capital, that they are in charge. SAPS must continue to ignore the desperate demands for black on black violence, and the spilling of blood of black people, by those who seek to suppress the political views of their opponents.

We encourage all police to learn from those officers in order to create a relationship of trust and safety between law-enforcement and the people of South Africa.

Issued by Vuyani Pambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 6 July 2021