EFF on victimization of protestors outside parliament
14 December 2022
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns in the harshest terms the violent removal and assault of protesters who were picketing outside of the National Assembly sitting outside City Hall in Cape Town yesterday.
As the Parliament of South Africa was debating the Section 89 Independent Panel Report on the President's misconduct and his violation of the constitution, the South African Police Services (SAPS) continued with the onslaught on the constitution by intimidating and victimizing protesters who were demonstrating their frustration and dissatisfaction with the Cyril Ramaphosa Presidency.
Protest is not only protected in the constitution; it is also fundamental to this hard-earned democracy. What is concerning is that on the same day there were members of the governing party who were demonstrating outside Parliament, in defence of the President, yet they were not treated in the same dehumanizing way those who disagree with Cyril Ramaphosa were treated.
Under the so-called "New Dawn", all three arms of the state, the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, have been reduced to bodyguards of Cyril Ramaphosa — purging all those who disagree with him, and rewarding all those who protect his interests. We reject this despotic culture with the contempt it deserves. South Africa is not Cyril Ramaphosa's game farm, where he can do as he pleases, torture women and hide illegal dollars under sofas and mattrasses.
The people of South Africa, in their majority, must resist the tyranny of Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africa is a constitutional democracy which places the principles Of constitutional democracy embodied in the Bill Of Rights above the interests Of one man. The uncontrollable propensity to protect Cyril Ramaphosa, at all costs, even if it means the destruction Of principal institutions Of our Democracy must be condemned.
The people of South Africa must be allowed to voice and demonstrate their dismay of the current administration without any fear Of victimization and persecution. The South African Police Services is not a hit squad of a certain faction in the governing party, the ANC. The role Of the police is to rid our communities Of violence and crime, and protect all South Africans not a delinquent man who sees himself as being above the rule of law.
Whoever issued the instruction to remove protesters who were exercising their democratic right to protest not only acted unlawfully, they also brought the institution Of policing into disrepute by factionalizing the South African Police Service.
There ought to be a follow-up on the illogical and irrational behaviour Of the police towards the protestors. We will protect this democracy with everything we have. Those who came before us paid the ultimate price of death for it. We too, will never retreat!
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 14 December 2022
