Ficksburg killing: Deplorable and desperate act shows Zuma administration has lost its way

Last night's footage of Mr. Andries Tatane's tragic death at the hands of the police, shows that the ANC government is willing to use Apartheid-era policing tactics to clamp down on service delivery protests - a deplorable and desperate act that shows just how badly this administration has lost its way.

It is also completely unacceptable that the ANC government has now attempted to censor the broadcast of this story, by writing to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). It may be more convenient for the Zuma administration if this story was kept under wraps, but ordinary South Africans will not stand by while their government attempts to control what information can and cannot be broadcast.

Here we have not only Apartheid-era policing methods, but an Apartheid-era attempt at controlling the press. It exemplifies the precise difference between the ANC's closed society, and the open opportunity society for all that the DA wants to build in South Africa. It shows that the ANC has lost touch with its roots, and can no longer claim to represent South Africa's poor.

We welcome the Independent Complaints Directorate's announcement of an investigation into this harrowing incident. Nothing short of full criminal and ICD investigations are now required into this matter.

Statement issued by Dr. Wilmot James MP, DA Federal Chairperson, April 14 2011

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