South Africa: Ruling party condemns US police brutality on blacks
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa’s ruling ANC on Tuesday said it was concerned about the numerous incidents of police brutality against African Americans in the United States.
It called for calm following days of rioting in numerous US cities following last week’s murder of George Floyd by Minnesota police.
“The African National Congress calls for calm in the United States of America following widespread riots ignited by the death of George Floyd and other black Americans in the hands of white police officers. We also call on all Americans and their government to seek an amicable solution to the current racial impasse,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
He noted the “cascade” of recent cases, including the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, saying they “sharpened the focus on inescapable realities that American society places a perilously low value on black lives”.
“It is deplorable that almost 70 years since racial segregation was abolished in America, people of colour are still routinely slaughtered for the colour of their skin. The ANC fought and defeated racial supremacy and will not be cowed to remain silent in the face of the lynching of black people wherever they manifest,” he said.
The ANC on Tuesday appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the current chairman of the African Union (AU), to engage the US authorities in a bid to diffuse tensions and to assist in building social cohesion among Americans.
Former African presidents have also joined the chorus of condemnation over the killing of Floyd, with the Forum of Former Heads of State and Government urging African countries to “raise a strong protest” to the tragedy and demand that “the perpetrators of this crime and all other crimes of this sort be punished in the strongest terms”.
The forum which was established in 2011, includes former Nigerian, Ghanaian and Tanzanian Presidents - Goodluck Jonathan, John Mahama and Jakaya Kikwete respectively.
-0- PANA CU/VAO 2June2020
