The police watchdog is investigating at least 10 deaths at the hand of law enforcement under a coronavirus lockdown
Johannesburg - As the killing of George Floyd sparked protests worldwide, South Africans joined calls on Tuesday for action against police brutality following the deaths of at least 10 black people at the hands of law enforcement under a coronavirus lockdown.
Thousands have attended Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Cape Town, Pretoria and Johannesburg to protest violence by security forces implementing the lockdown - and prior to the pandemic - directed mainly at poor, black communities.
What is new is that during this lockdown, a harsher spotlight has been shone on these abuses," said Thato Masiangoako, a researcher for the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa.
The High Court last month ordered the suspension of soldiers and police officers who were at or near Khosa's home at the time of his death and ordered the government to set up a mechanism to enable the public to complain about abuses.
The South African Human Rights Commission, an independent watchdog, said it is closely monitoring IPID's investigation of at least 10 deaths at the hands of law enforcement since lockdown began on March 27.
