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The Congress of the People (COPE) is concerned about the blatant violation of the rights of citizens enshrined in the Constitution, and fear the beginning of the Mugabe-syndrome has reared its ugly head in this country, which COPE fears is the beginning of putting this country on a slippery slope.

The shoddy treatment by police of Julius Malema yesterday whilst trying to attend the gathering of striking miners in Marikana is a classic sign of oppressive abuse and violation of his rights. The following events are terrible indicators that we should be worried about:
• The violation and abuse by police of their power against a citizen’s rights to freedom of association, demonstration, picketing and petition (S17 of Chp 2 of the Chapter on the Bill of Rights)
• Intimidation and abuse [S19] on political rights and choices, including participating in political activity.
• The police and the army cannot be used to fight the party political battles of the ANC.
The Congress of the People calls upon South Africa to pose and think seriously about these recent developments which impact on Chp2 S23 of our Constitutional rights, and how low Zuma’s administration can go. Our country’s safety and security is at stake. Action needs to be taken NOW and Parliament needs to debate the implications of these ugly developments.