Despite the end of apartheid over three decades ago, a form of suffocation torture known as “tubing” continues to be practiced by South African police, as reported by a recent investigation. This method, which originally involved officers using a tire tube over a victim’s nose and mouth, has evolved to the use of plastic bags.
In collaboration with a South African journalism nonprofit, an analysis of tens of thousands of police complaints revealed approximately 1,700 allegations of tubing over an 11-year span. Experts suggest that the actual number of incidents is likely higher, as many victims do not report the abuse. This data highlights a troubling contradiction in a country led by former freedom fighters who once fought against oppression.
South Africa faces one of the highest murder rates globally, prompting public fear and criticism of police response times and corruption. Many citizens report that officers arrive late or solicit bribes, which has led to a perception that police are not adequately addressing crime. This criticism may drive some officers to adopt aggressive tactics, including torture, to meet public demands for results.
While experts assert that information obtained through torture is often unreliable, some officers believe tubing can yield quick results, helping them achieve departmental goals related to arrests and weapon recovery. Former officials have indicated that commanders may overlook allegations of torture if officers are meeting performance targets.
Reports indicate that torture has become a routine investigative practice for some officers, even in cases involving minor offenses. In one instance, a detective described using a plastic bag to extract information from a suspect, illustrating a culture of impunity within the force. In a particularly egregious case, two officers were convicted of murder after using pepper spray in a bag to extract a confession from a man accused of stealing a television, leading to his death.