SA reacts to ANC's #BlackLivesMatter campaign

The ruling party and its affiliates - COSATU and the SACP - announced the launch of the Alliance Anti-Racism campaign on Thursday. They are calling for South Africans to wear black on Fridays in solidarity with global anti-racism protests. 

"The death by citizens at the hands of security forces are a deep concern to the alliance," the party said in a statement. "Security forces, as set out in our Constitution, must secure the safety of communities and act against crime. They must be tough, but act in the spirit of the Constitution." 

But, there has been mixed reaction to the campaign, with accusations that government is hypocritical as it's been silent on the death of Collins Khosa who was allegedly beaten to death by SANDF troops last month.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) recently presented its 'Death in police custody' and 'Death as a result of police action' report to the Portfolio Committee of Police and select Committee on Security and Justice.

In the report, the police watchdog noted that between 26 March to 17 April 2020 - nine people died in police custody another 21 people as a result of police action. The report says there were 16 torture cases, and that 271 people were assaulted during this period. 

IPID says the number of complaints of police misconduct since the start of the national virus lockdown is not yet known. 

DA's Shadow Minister of Police, Andrew Whitfield's called for the removal of Police Minister Bheki Cele.

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Whitfield says Cele's 'reckless and irresponsible' remarks has encouraged police brutality in the country.

"Cele suggested that SAPS "push" people home and said that SAPS must deal with criminals "harshly" even going so far as to instruct SAPS: "do not be nice to suspects. These utterances are not only deplorable, but they also incite the police to violate and brutalise our people. 

"While the world stands in solidarity against the senseless death of George Floyd and police brutality against vulnerable communities in the US, the reality is that the ANC and its alliance partners have ignored the Police Minister's appalling comments as well as the police violence happening right here in their own backyards.

"The DA hopes that the ANC's campaign will not just be their typical blowing of hot air but that they will truly stand with all South Africans who have been the victims of police brutality and put their money where their mouth is."

IFP founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi says the US protests are triggering for South Africa and has called for political leaders to unite. 

"Let us, therefore, urge political leaders across the world to act and speak in ways that forge unity, rather than stoking the flames of hatred and violence. We need to confront the evil of racism in the opposite spirit, sowing compassion, generosity and humility from all sides.

"This is not to say that we should be silent or stand by, but simply that we should act with restraint. Refraining from a violent response does not express weakness. 

"Instead, it reveals depth of character, while strengthening human dignity. This is not the time for hate speech. It is the time to stand united across all race groups, against a common evil."