STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REGARDING CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE ARREST OF SUNDAY TIMES JOURNALIST BY THE HAWKS

The SA Human Rights Commission is monitoring the situation with regards to the arrest of Sunday Times journalist, Mr Mzilikazi wa Afrika, and the anxiety that it has prompted in relation to media freedom.

The Commission is concerned about the alleged high-handed manner in which members of the Hawks effected his arrest at the Avusa head office in Rosebank yesterday afternoon.

While the Commission recognizes the right and duty of the police to arrest anybody they genuinely suspect of having committed a crime, it however is calls on the police to act without undue force in the execution of their duties.

The Commissions believes that no person must be subjected to the treatment that the Hawks are alleged to have meted out on Mr Wa Afrika yesterday.

Statement issued by Vincent Moaga, South African Human Rights Commission, August 5 2010

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