RISE Mzansi, like many South Africans, is deeply disturbed by the reported and confirmed raid by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), more commonly known as the Hawks, on the home of social media satirist and commentator, Anton Taylor. More disturbingly is that this raid was carried out by the Crimes Agaisnt the State (CATS) team, which falls under the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
RISE Mzansi, in light of these agregious acts, implores both Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry set up to probe the capture and collpase of the criminal justice system to interrogate this serious incident as part of its broader work.
South Africa is a constituional democracy that protects freedom of expression, which includes freedom of artistic creativity. It is a cornerstone of our hard fought democracry. It should therefore enrage all South Africans that this right was violated, and that the Minsiter of Police, Senzo Mchuni, who is on garden leave, would pursue a social media commentator beause he felt “insulted.”
It is vital that South Africans know whether South Africa Police Service (SAPS) and other State resources where abused, and what motivated a Judge to sign-off on this raid.
This is not about an individual, but it is about protecting our collective constutional rights and ensuring that we prevent further abuses of power using the machinery of the State.
#RiseMzansi:
"South Africa is a constitutional democracy that protects freedom of expression, which includes freedom of artistic creativity. It should enrage all South Africans that [suspended] Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu would pursue a social media commentator because he felt “insulted.”