When Thabang Makwetla, Deputy Justice Minister of South Africa was seized in a daylight hijacking last month, the nation expected a swift police response. Instead, two of the four men now charged have told a court they were beaten, shocked and suffocated in plastic bags while in custody. The accusations, filed on , have rekindled a simmering debate over the legacy of apartheid‑era torture tactics that still haunt the Gauteng province.
Background on the hijacking incident
The abduction unfolded on along the busy N1 corridor outside Johannesburg. Four masked men forced Makwetla’s vehicle off the road, brandishing firearms before forcing him into a waiting van. Witnesses say the suspects demanded a ransom, though police have yet to confirm any payment. The victims were released unharmed after a tense standoff that lasted roughly three hours, at which point the suspects vanished. The case quickly escalated into a high‑profile criminal investigation, with the South African Police Service (SAPS) deploying a special task force. By early September, four men were arrested in a series of raids across Gauteng and neighboring provinces.
Allegations of torture from the accused
During a hearing at the Pretoria High Court on Sept 15, the two detainees—identified only as “Accused 1” and “Accused 2” for legal reasons—claimed they were subjected to "extreme and inhumane" treatment. They described being strapped to a chair, having plastic bags placed over their heads, and receiving electric shocks administered with a handheld device. "We were… suffocated for minutes at a time," one accused, whose name was withheld, told the presiding magistrate. "When I asked for a lawyer, the officer laughed and turned the bag faster." The other accused echoed the sentiment, adding that a baton was swung at his ribs while he was handcuffed. Both men said the alleged abuse occurred within the first 24 hours of detention at the Kyalami police station.
South Africa’s broader police torture problem
The accusations arrive against a backdrop of alarming statistics. Between January and June 2017, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) recorded 61 reported torture incidents and 207 deaths linked to police actions—a 30 % rise from the same period in 2016. Gauteng consistently tops the list for such complaints, accounting for roughly 45 % of all reports. A chilling legacy persists: the practice known as “tubing,” where plastic bags are forced over a suspect’s head to induce suffocation, has been documented in more than 1,700 cases from 2012 to 2023. Other methods include beatings with batons, kicks, and the intentional placement of non‑violent detainees with hardened criminals to force confessions. Human‑rights watchdog Change Now estimates that up to 3,000 South Africans may have been subjected to such tactics annually, a figure that starkly contrasts with official statements that torture is "unacceptable and illegal."
Responses from authorities and human‑rights groups
When pressed for comment, a spokesperson for SAPS said, "The allegations are being taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly. Any officer found guilty will face the full force of the law." IPID, however, warned that past investigations often stall at the recommendation stage. "We have repeatedly flagged these methods, yet disciplinary action remains rare," the agency’s director, Lindiwe Mthembu, told reporters on Sept 20. International pressure is mounting. A confidential United Nations country‑visit report released in early 2023 concluded that South Africa is failing to meet its obligations under the Convention Against Torture, citing “systemic impunity” and “insufficient oversight mechanisms.” The UN urged the government to establish an independent body with prosecutorial powers to investigate police misconduct.
What’s next for the case
The Pretoria magistrate ordered a fresh forensic audit of the Kyalami detention facilities and mandated that the accused receive medical examinations by an independent doctor. A hearing on the admissibility of the torture claims is set for Oct 10. Legal analysts predict that if the allegations are substantiated, it could trigger a cascade of civil suits from other former detainees, potentially costing the state millions in compensation. Moreover, the case could force a parliamentary review of the Police Service Act, a piece of legislation many argue is outdated and ill‑suited to curb abuse.
Historical context of police torture in South Africa
During apartheid, security forces routinely employed torture to suppress dissent. After the transition to democracy, the 1998 Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended sweeping reforms, yet many of the same interrogation rooms and practices lingered under new uniforms. The 2008 “Soco” inquiry uncovered that former apartheid officers had re‑entered the force, bringing with them a knowledge of “tubing” and other harsh methods. Recent scholarship suggests that the failure to fully dismantle the old security‑apparatus, combined with inadequate training on human‑rights standards, perpetuates a culture where some officers view torture as a "necessary evil" to extract information.
Key takeaways
- Torture allegations have resurfaced in a high‑profile kidnapping case.
- Two out of four accused claim they were suffocated and shocked while detained.
- IPID data shows a steady rise in reported police mistreatment, especially in Gauteng.
- International bodies accuse South Africa of breaching its anti‑torture commitments.
- The upcoming Oct 10 hearing could set a precedent for how such claims are handled in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the torture allegations affect the kidnapping case?
If a court determines the confessions were obtained under torture, they could be deemed inadmissible, potentially weakening the prosecution’s case against the four suspects. This may force prosecutors to rely on other evidence, such as surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony.
Who is responsible for investigating police misconduct in South Africa?
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is the primary civilian body tasked with probing allegations of police abuse. However, critics argue that IPID’s powers are limited and that many cases stall before reaching court.
What does the United Nations say about South Africa’s torture record?
A 2023 confidential UN report warned that South Africa is not meeting its obligations under the Convention Against Torture, citing persistent “systemic impunity” and a lack of effective oversight over police interrogations.
Are there any reforms being proposed to curb police torture?
Civil‑society groups and some opposition MPs have called for an independent anti‑torture commission with prosecutorial authority, as well as mandatory human‑rights training for all police officers. The upcoming parliamentary debate on the Police Service Act could address some of these proposals.
What impact could this case have on future police‑suspect interactions?
A landmark ruling that excludes evidence obtained through torture could set a legal precedent, compelling law enforcement to adopt stricter interrogation protocols and potentially reducing the use of coercive methods nationwide.
Nathan Ryu
October 2, 2025 AT 18:31Torture is a stain on any society that claims to be democratic, and South Africa cannot afford to turn a blind eye any longer. The allegations emerging from the Makwetla kidnapping case expose a continuity of brutal practices that were supposed to have been buried with apartheid. When two suspects claim they were suffocated in plastic bags, they are not just recounting personal trauma-they are echoing a systematic pattern. The practice known as "tubing" has been documented in thousands of cases, and each instance erodes public trust in law enforcement. A government that professes respect for human rights must investigate these claims with full transparency, not merely offer platitudes. Independent forensic audits, as ordered for the Kyalami detention centre, should be the minimum, not the exception. Victims deserve medical examinations by professionals free from police influence, and any officer found complicit must face the full force of the law. The IPID’s track record of stalled recommendations only fuels a culture of impunity that emboldens abusive officers. International bodies, including the United Nations, have warned that South Africa is falling short of its anti‑torture obligations, and this could have diplomatic repercussions. Moreover, the financial burden of civil suits against the state, potentially amounting to millions, will far outweigh the cost of genuine reform. Legislative review of the Police Service Act is overdue; outdated provisions allow loopholes that perpetrators exploit. Training programs on human‑rights standards must be mandatory and regularly audited. Civil society watchdogs like Change Now should be granted unfettered access to detention facilities to monitor compliance. The public outcry after this case should translate into concrete policy changes, not just temporary media cycles. Ultimately, a nation’s moral authority is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable, including those accused of crimes. If South Africa truly wishes to break from its oppressive past, it must eradicate torture from its policing culture once and for all.