By Shaun Smillie
SA could kiss democracy goodbye
ANDRIES Tatane's death in Ficksburg has been condemned not only by political parties, but unions and civil society too.
"What we saw last night was a reminder of the notorious apartheid hit squads that used to kill and torture our people in townships and factories during the heights of apartheid," the Free State branch of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa said.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union called for police commissioner General Bheki Cele to ensure that the officers who were photographed assaulting Tatane were charged with murder and locked up.
It added that the assault was a result of the deterioration of police discipline.
Cosatu said: "It was clear on the television that the person did not have any weapon in his possession and it puzzles us why he was assaulted, shot and killed."
The DA said this showed how the ANC government was willing to use apartheid era policing tactics to deal with service delivery protests.
"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.
"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," Cosatu added.
Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota said Tatane's death was likely to test South Africa's democracy. He said that if the government was going to suppress protests in this way, "then South Africa could kiss democracy goodbye".
Tatane was a member of Cope, and the party was planning to organise a protest march.
The ANC called on Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to establish an immediate commission of inquiry into the death and to bring the perpetrators to book.
The African Christian Democratic Party condemned the police's action and welcomed the Independent Complaints Directorate's investigation.
The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation said the incident raised concerns about the standards of training and leadership in the SAPS.
Meanwhile, Media Monitoring Africa was concerned about the SABC's coverage of the event. The violent footage, although it should not be hidden, should have been shown in limited circumstances, it said.
CSVR is a multi-disciplinary institute that seeks to understand and prevent violence, heal its effects and build sustainable peace at the community, national and regional levels.
