Madam Deputy Speaker, the arrest and detention of Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika in Rosebank last week bore all the hallmarks of apartheid-era police action and detention without trial.
Certainly, the nature of the arrest and what seems to be the deliberate spectacle surrounding it are cause for serious concern to the DA. Wa Afrika was publicly accosted outside the Sunday Times offices. He was bundled into an unmarked car and driven four hours from Johannesburg to Nelspruit in Mpumalanga to explain why he was in possession of a fax. Why?
The arrest involved six Hawks vehicles and almost a dozen armed officers and came just a day after National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele referred to wa Afrika as a "shady journalist" on national television - and just three days after the Sunday Times published a story about Commissioner Cele flouting tender procedures. Was this intended as a message to the free press? Will we now see a return to the cloak-and-dagger-arrest of journalists who dare to speak out against the state, as was the norm under apartheid?
Among the questions wa Afrika was asked during interrogation, the police wanted to know "Are you destroying the image and integrity of the ANC in Mpumalanga?" Police resources and intimidation tactics are now being deployed in defence of the ANC and its factions. [Interjections.]
Deputy Speaker!
Given the mounting evidence that the motive behind wa Afrika's arrest was purely political, it is incumbent upon the Police Commissioner and the Minister of Police to explain this action to Parliament and the public. [Interjections.]
Deputy Speaker, I would like to rise on a point of order.
Hon member, there is a point of order.
Deputy Speaker, this was raised as a motion without notice.
Okay. Cope is next.
Madam Deputy Speaker, women in South Africa are facing the same challenges, whatever their political affiliation ... [Interjections.]
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. The previous speaker, my colleague, was unable to finish her statement and I would like you to ask her to finish her statement. Thank you.
No, no, no, her time had expired when I took the point of order. Cope is next.