Context:

Three decades after the end of apartheid, South African police continue to use a torture method known as 'tubing,' which involves suffocating individuals with plastic bags. Despite being explicitly outlawed by the country's constitution and international treaties, the practice persists, with an average of three complaints per week filed between 2012 and 2023. The government's response has been largely ineffective, with few officers held accountable, leading to continued human rights violations. The persistence of tubing is exacerbated by high crime rates, aggressive policing quotas, and a culture that turns a blind eye to abuses in order to meet targets. Despite legal frameworks and training intended to prevent such practices, systemic issues and a lack of accountability allow the torture to endure.

Dive Deeper:

• Tubing, a suffocation method originating from apartheid, is still used by South African police despite being banned by the constitution and international treaties. The practice involves placing a plastic bag over a suspect’s head, causing severe distress and sometimes death.

• From 2012 to 2023, approximately 1,700 complaints of tubing were reported, yet only a handful of officers have faced consequences. The lack of accountability and response from the government suggests a systemic issue in addressing police misconduct.

• High crime rates in South Africa, among the highest globally, have pressured the police into aggressive tactics, including torture, to meet arrest and seizure quotas. This environment fosters a culture that prioritizes results over human rights, with some commanders ignoring allegations of abuse.

• Despite legal measures and training intended to prevent torture, many officers believe that tubing is effective in crime-solving. This belief is maintained despite expertise indicating that information obtained under torture is unreliable.

• The legacy of apartheid persists in the police force, with many officers from that era remaining in service. This continuity, combined with insufficient reforms and oversight, allows practices like tubing to remain ingrained in policing strategies.