In response to reports of deaths during lockdown allegedly due to action by police, Shenilla Mohamed, Executive Director of Amnesty International South Africa, said today:
“We are extremely concerned to hear reports of people dying during lockdown allegedly as a result of actions taken by the police. We repeat our call that, while it is urgent and important to ensure that people adhere to the lockdown, resorting to force must only be done when it is strictly necessary and proportionate.
“As President Ramaphosa stated last night, it is imperative that security forces act within the law at all times. They should adopt an educational approach, rather than force, to sensitise anyone who is not complying with the rules of the lockdown. And they should treat everyone equally, whether in a township or the suburbs. Everyone is equal under the law.
“Investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) must be transparent and must take national and international human rights laws and standards into account. Further to this, all investigative reports into incidents must be made available to the public.
“Amnesty International South Africa will be monitoring the use of force by security forces during the lockdown, and will continue to call for restraint and accountability.”
BACKGROUND
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigates complaints against the South African Police Service and the Municipal Police Services (MPS). The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) investigates complaints against its members through the Military Ombud.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a 21-day lockdown on Monday, 23 March 2020, in response to COVID-19. The lockdown came into effect at midnight on Thursday, 26 March 2020 and is scheduled to last until 16 April 2020.
A lockdown is an emergency protocol that requires South Africans to stay home except for essential purposes. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and other essential industries will remain open. All non-essential activities are suspended.
Anyone breaking the rules could be punished with imprisonment for up to one month or with a fine.
The list of essential services include healthcare providers, pharmacies, banks and petrol stations as well as companies that are essential to the production and transportation of food, basic goods and medical supplies. Newspaper, broadcasting and telecommunication infrastructure and services are also included.
The full list of government-approved essential services can be found here.
The National Department of Health has issued a Coronavirus Outbreak 24-hour Hotline Number: 0800 029 999, a data-free website: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/ and a WhatsApp information number 0600 123 456.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mienke Steytler, Media and Digital Content Officer, Amnesty International South Africa: +27 (0)64 890 9224; mienke.steytler@amnesty.org.za
