AfriForum warns about extensive resistance after double standards in Nkandla

5 July 2021  

The civil rights organisation AfriForum has warned the Department of Police and Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, in a letter about the double standards of law enforcement that is currently being witnessed in Nkandla.

Approximately 1 000 people have gathered in Nkandla over the past weekend to show their support for former president Jacob Zuma. Apart from the fact that it is against the current level 4 lockdown regulations to hold such a big gathering, highways were also blocked and shots were even fired into the air by Zuma’s supporters. Despite all these offences, not a single person has been arrested yet.

AfriForum believes that the public is thoroughly aware of these double standards, where restaurateurs are prosecuted when they try to make a living and law-abiding citizens are treated like hardened criminals when they forget to wear a face mask.

This can lead to a revolt among citizens who have had enough of the fact that there is one set of rules for them and another set of rules for the political elite and their henchmen.

“South Africans have been fed-up for a while with these drastic, illogical restrictions that destroy lives. Now that it has become clear that certain people do not have to take notice of these restrictions, more people will follow their lead and do the same,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Manager of Campaigns.

“The fact that Zuma also has not yet been arrested, but instead receives special treatment from the highest court in the country, emphasises yet again that some people are more equal than others and I am afraid that this will lead to a broad disregard of the law,” concludes Broodryk.

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 5 July 2021