ABSTRACT
South Africa is a young developing democracy, and the transition that led to the first democratic election in the country for all inhabitants was hailed as a miracle. The South African Constitution is also acclaimed, and considered as one of the most democratic and progressive constitutions in the world. The South African Police Code of Ethics stipulates that police officers must uphold the law and Constitution, and in fact should also protect the basic
Introduction 91 Definitions of Abuse 93 Statement of the Problem 93 Methodology 95 New Approach to Policing 95 Human Rights, 1994-2007 97 Death in Custody or in Police Action (Right to Life-Section 11 of the South African Constitution) 100 Human Rights Abuses after 2007 (Right to Life and Bodily Integrity-Sections 11 and 12 of the Constitution) 102
Torture (Section 12 of Constitution) 103 Conclusion 103 References 104 Websites 106 Statutes 106
rights of citizens and migrants (South African Police 2011). This chapter looks at human rights and what, on the onset, appears to be recent increases in human rights violations by members of the South African Police. Examples of human rights violations by members of the police are frequent media features. Cases where the Right to Life, as enshrined in Chapter 2, Section 12 of the Constitution, has apparently been blatantly violated have been reported. One such report was the case of the death of a demonstrator in the Free State on April 23, 2011. South Africans were stunned by the violent and brutal attack on Andries Tatane, who died as a result of police action during service delivery protests in Ficksburg. A reporter from Times Live reported on the death of Mr. Tatane, who died at the hands of police officers in Meqheleng township, Ficksburg.
