If we do nothing, we may find ourselves in police state – Kasrils

21 April 2016

Cape Town – Former intelligence minister, Ronnie Kasrils, warned on Thursday that South Africa could become a police state, but added he was still hopeful about the country's future.

With the rainbow nation still "a work in progress", he said some might be incredibly fearful and "pack for Perth".

"You can also be very positive and hopeful when you are in interesting times, given the challenges. I happen to be one of that sort and there is pretty good evidence of that," he said at an address in Stellenbosch.

Kasrils said the Constitutional Court’s ruling on President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead was, for him, on a par with the day the country held its first democratic elections in 1994.

Zuma's 'proclivities'

He knew many people had been fearful of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s appointment. "South Africa surprises when given responsibility," he said.

Kasrils said his greatest hero today, someone on the same level as Chris Hani, was Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

He likened those who had died in protests over the last few years to the struggle heroes of the past who also died for a cause.

Kasrils said he decided to move to the left of the ANC because its principles, objectives and programmes had been deserted.

"I am happy. At the same time, I am also fearful that if we do nothing, we might find ourselves in another police state," he said, given Zuma's "proclivities".

This article first appeared on News24, see here.