Thorough police investigations are needed into the killing of more than 20 people at taverns in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, so that those responsible are held accountable, Amnesty International South Africa said.
“There is a shocking lack of concern for the right to life in South Africa. This has not only been brought to the fore with these recent shootings, but the latest quarterly crime statistics paint a similar picture,” Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director, Shenilla Mohamed said.
“It is clear that people are not safe anywhere in South Africa. Urgent action is needed from the government and the South African Police Service (SAPS), who have a duty to protect everyone who lives in this country.”
There needs to be proper investigations by police of these shooting incidents, so that the perpetrators face the justice system and are brought to book.
“States must work to reduce persistently high levels of firearm violence in communities and its long-term socio-economic impacts by taking measures to ensure a context of public safety supported by effective, human rights compliant and accountable law enforcement agencies which are highly trained and committed to the rule of law and which are charged with the protection of the rights to life and to security of person,” Shenilla Mohamed said.
“It is now up to the SAPS to conduct thorough, efficient and transparent investigations into the shootings that took place over the weekend and ensure that the perpetrators are charged in accordance with the law. We can no longer allow horrendous crimes in South Africa to continue with impunity,” she added.
Background
According to news reports, 21 people were killed in separate shootings at three popular taverns in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal this past weekend.
Two people were shot and killed at a tavern in Katlehong on Friday, four people gunned down in a similar shooting in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, and 15 in Soweto on Sunday.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Genevieve Quintal, Media and Communications Officer, Amnesty International South Africa: +27 (0)64 890 9224; genevieve.quintal@amnesty.org.za
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