During the tumultuous years of apartheid, the South African police force, dominated by white leadership, inflicted severe terror upon Black citizens using horrific interrogation tactics, such as suffocating individuals with plastic bags. After the end of apartheid, South Africa established a constitutional framework explicitly banning such forms of torture and pledged adherence to international treaties to prevent their recurrence.
However, an analysis by The New York Times, in collaboration with Viewfinder, a South African journalism nonprofit, has uncovered alarming evidence that suggests the continued prevalence of these methods, particularly a practice known as "tubing." Over a span of 11 years, from 2012 to 2023, around three individuals per week lodged complaints against police for having been tubed during interrogations.
These findings expose a glaring contradiction within a government that once represented liberation fighters who helped end apartheid. It paints a bleak picture; a state that once promised to protect its people from such injustices is now perpetuating the very horrors it sought to eliminate. Khulu Mbatha, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC), expressed deep shock upon learning that these practices have reemerged, reflecting the painful and haunting memories of the past. He noted, "The leadership of the A.N.C., when they came to power in 1994, made it clear: No soul should be subjected to that.”
This persistent use of apartheid-era torture methods raises urgent questions about the accountability of the South African police force and the government's ability to reform its practices in line with its foundational ideals.
