Political parties demand answers about the deployment of soldiers to #JusticeForCwecwe march.
Scores of people took to the streets of Matatiele, Eastern Cape, on Tuesday, 8 April, to raise awareness about gender-based violence and injustices facing vulnerable communities.
The peaceful protest, organised by the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) alongside the Holekane Women’s Support Organisation and Lady Ocean SA Foundation, was held in memory of Cwecwe, Alu, and Boy, victims of gender-based violence.
EFF and ActionSA have written to Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, respectively, demanding explanations why the soldiers were dispatched to a civilian march.
ActionSA Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni said in her letter: “The use of armed defence force personnel in what is clearly a civilian protest raises alarm about the growing militarisation of public order policing and the apparent disregard for constitutional safeguards.”
She requested that Motshekga urgently furnish ActionSA with a full report on the authorisation of this employment, a copy of the notice to Parliament as required by Section 18(2) of the Defence Act, failing that, the appropriate Gazette as contemplated in Section 19(2) and an explanation as to why the SANDF was deemed necessary for a civilian protest in a democratic state.
EFF said in their letter that in terms of section 201(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, only the President may authorise the employment of the defence force in cooperation with the police service.
“Did the President formally communicate to Parliament his intention to deploy the SANDF to assist the SAPS in providing security at the protests for justice for Cwecwe? If so, may you urgently share the letter the President sent to Parliament in this regard?
This is a matter of national interest and constitutional compliance, and we trust that it will be treated with the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” said EFF Chief Whip Nontando Nolutshungu
The Youth League provincial secretary, Francisco Dyantyi, expressed surprise upon discovering private security and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel present at Bergview College.
“We want to categorically state that our protest was peaceful and did not involve blocking the R56 road, as falsely reported. We condemn the spread of misinformation and urge the public to rely on credible sources.”
“We view the deployment of soldiers as an unwarranted attempt to intimidate and suppress the voices of our members and the broader community,” he said.
Cwecwe (7) was allegedly sexually assaulted at Bergview College while waiting for transport.
Dyantyi said the presence of security forces unnecessarily created an atmosphere of tension and hostility, undermining the fundamental democratic right to peaceful assembly and protest.
GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron noted that defence experts have repeatedly raised concerns over the years about the SANDF’s severe underfunding and lack of resources.
He said South Africans have the right to protest, and there were no indications that this march would be anything but peaceful.
“The Department of Defence owes the public a clear explanation regarding the legality and necessity of this deployment. The GOOD Party demands transparency and accountability from those in charge of this decision,” said Herron.
