On April 27, 1994 – South Africa held its first democratic post-apartheid non-racial elections, which saw Nelson Mandela elected as President.
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However, 26 years later my thoughts lie with the family of Collins Khosa (40) who was assaulted and killed, allegedly by members of the SA National Defence Force and police officers during a crackdown in Alexandra, north of Joburg, on Good Friday.
Three soldiers allegedly raided Khosa’s friend, Thabiso Muvhango’s home after noticing a camp chair and a half-full cup of alcohol in the yard.
For this, the Alexandra township resident was reportedly choked, slammed against the cement wall, hit with the butt of a machine gun, kicked, slapped, and punched in the face, stomach and ribs.
Media reports indicate that Khoza’s death has brought the total number of people killed by the police and soldiers for allegedly violating the national lockdown to nine.
Khosa’s family has since mandated a law firm to proceed with the application against the presidency and the ministry of defence.
Surviving lockdown has been stressful enough, but now Khosa’s death has compromised my faith in our country’s democratic system. It begs us to ask the question – just far have we come since 1994?
Even worse, Khosa’s death leaves no South African feeling safe – not safe from the hungry and unemployed masses, the men wearing boots or from a lurking virus.
So, today I find it ironic that we are celebrating our freedom in lockdown – so let me use the little freedom I have, to write.
In six days’ time we will commemorate World Press Freedom Day.
May 3 is an important day on the journalism calendar, as it raises awareness of the importance of freedom of the press, and reminds governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
There is, and will never be, justification for the actions of the officers who allegedly assaulted Khosa, as their actions blatantly violated the constitutional rights to life, to dignity, to freedom and to be free from all forms of state violence.
RIP Collins Khosa.
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