Concern over SA torture allegations

A report warns the police are quick to resort to violence

By Jane Standley in Johannesburg

A dispute is growing between the South African Government and human rights group Amnesty International over allegations that the police and the army are torturing people.

Amnesty International says it has evidence of people being severely beaten, subjected to electric shocks and suspended from moving vehicles by both black and white police officers.

The situation is indeed serious

Samkelo Mokhine
Amnesty International

South Africa's Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi has rejected the allegations, and says he has never heard of such things happening in the now-democratic country.

There are concerns that the violent nature of South African society itself may be partly to blame.

Violent society

The report is not due for release for another few weeks, but Amnesty International is standing by its findings.

Crime is a serious problem in South Africa

The organisation's South Africa representative, Samkelo Mokhine, says the study also shows how the police are being influenced by society, which is becoming increasingly intolerant of violent crime.

Mr Mokhine warns that criminal suspects are increasingly not being treated according to the letter of the law irrespective of whether or not they are guilty.

"The situation is indeed serious. The police, as members of society are sensitive to these kind of issues that come from the society itself, who say criminals shouldn't be treated decently," he says.

Government criticised

Amnesty International has also criticised government ministers who have made similar public statements against violent crime.

Some ministers are also trying to reintroduce detention without trial.

South Africa has some of the worst crime statistics in the world. Sixty-five people are murdered every day out of a population of only 40 million people.

Angered by the negative publicity the figures attract, the government is now refusing to issue any new statistics.