Police Torture Persists in Post-Apartheid South Africa

A recent analysis reveals a troubling continuity of torture in South Africa’s police force, raising questions about accountability and justice.

In a disturbing revelation, a data investigation by The New York Times has uncovered that a form of torture once employed by South African authorities during apartheid continues to plague the nation’s police. This practice, known as “tubing,” is a method of suffocation that, while it has evolved from its original rendition involving tire tubes, still manifests in the form of plastic bags being placed over suspects' heads.

Despite advancements made since the end of apartheid, the persistence of this tactic highlights deep-seated issues within the South African police force. In a collaboration with Viewfinder, a nonprofit journalism organization dedicated to exposing police misconduct, The Times scrutinized over 11 years' worth of police complaints, identifying around 1,700 allegations of tubing. Furthermore, experts suggest that the actual figures could be significantly higher, given that many victims opt not to come forward due to fear or mistrust of the justice system.

This chilling data underscores a grim reality: the very government that once fought for the rights of Black South Africans now oversees a police force that still engages in barbaric methods of torture. The findings suggest a pressing need for reform and accountability in a society striving to reconcile its violent past with a future rooted in human rights.