In brief
A shocking analysis reveals the persistence of a suffocation torture technique known as "tubing" among South African police officers, decades after apartheid ended, highlighting ongoing abuses in the justice system.
In a troubling reflection of South Africa's past, a new analysis by The New York Times reveals that a form of police torture known as “tubing” continues to take place almost 30 years after the end of apartheid. Initially popularized during the oppressive regime, tubing involves suffocating individuals with a tube or plastic bag, and remains disturbingly prevalent despite laws meant to banish such inhumane practices.Partnering with Viewfinder, a nonprofit focused on policing issues, The Times sifted through thousands of complaints to discover around 1,700 allegations of this torture technique over more than a decade. Experts believe the true number is likely much higher, as numerous victims opt not to report these incidents.The findings are especially poignant, given that the current government is composed of figures who once fought against apartheid, now facing accusations of presiding over a police force that continues to inflict harm on its own citizens. This legacy of brutality is a stark reminder of the challenges still facing South Africa.
