The Price of Freedom: The Shadow of "Suffocation Torture" Lingers in South African Police

Prologue: In the Shadow of Liberation's Light
The New York Times article dated July 7, 2025, highlighted the grim reality that the suffocation torture method known as "tubing," once widely used by the secret police during the apartheid era, still survives in the post-democratization South African police. The article, juxtaposing multiple victim testimonies with statistics from oversight bodies, harshly criticized the nation that was supposed to have won its freedom for betraying the ideals of liberation. Furthermore, on social media, scholar Steven Chan posted that "like in Kenya, the police place themselves above the law," sparking international debate.hackyournews.comx.com

1. Overview of the Investigation

According to data obtained by the newspaper through a freedom of information request from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), over 1,900 complaints of suffocation torture, including "tubing," were reported over 12 years from 2012 to 2023, at an average pace of three per week. The number of cases has not shown a declining trend; rather, it has slightly increased following the pandemic in 2020, coinciding with stricter enforcement. More than 70% of these complaints came from impoverished black neighborhoods and immigrant communities, highlighting a structure targeting minorities under the guise of "maintaining public order."hackyournews.com

2. What is "Tubing," the Torture Method Continuing from the Apartheid Era?

Tubing is a classic method of forcing confessions by cutting off breathing with a rubber tube or plastic bag over the head. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in the 1990s recognized it as a "state crime," but it is pointed out that it was retained in practice because "it leaves fewer marks compared to electric shocks or waterboarding." The latest brief from the Omega Research Foundation also warns that illegal use of electric shock devices and makeshift suffocation tools is ongoing.omegaresearchfoundation.org

3. The Spread of Victimization in Numbers

• IPID Annual Report (2024 Edition)

  • Total Complaints of Torture and Abuse: 5,812 cases

  • Of which suffocation-related: 423 cases (7.3%)

• Ministry of Justice Statistics

  • Police officers convicted in torture cases: Annual average of 2.1

  • Total Civil Damages Paid (Fiscal Year 2023): Approximately 450 million Rand
    This "litigation cost" strains the police budget, leading to cuts in patrol and training expenses.

4. Voices of the Victims—"The Sound of My Heartbeat Inside the Bag"

4-1. From Barbershop to Hospital—Cape Town's Igiraneza

In November 2023, three police officers burst into a barbershop in the suburbs of Cape Town and detained Nigerian immigrant J. Igiraneza on "drug charges." They placed a plastic bag over his head and applied a stun gun to his legs behind the shop. Igiraneza testified in court that "all I could hear was the beating of my heart inside the bag." The incident was detailed by GroundUp, and one officer is currently considering a plea bargain.groundup.org.za

4-2. The Disappeared Immigrant—Between TV Shows and Vigilantism

In April 2025, Nigerian Silas Ani, detained during the filming of the crime-tracking show 'Sizok’thola,' disappeared after being taken away by masked "cooperative investigators." The High Court ordered IPID to conduct a "comprehensive investigation into the suspicion of torture and disappearance." On social media, criticism erupted that "the show incited violence."2oceansvibe.com

4-3. Accusations from the Past—2012 KwaZulu Incident

Elias Ngubane claimed he was subjected to tubing and electric shocks during a midnight house search, and won damages in a 2023 High Court ruling. The judgment explicitly stated that "the officers were on duty, establishing state responsibility," setting a precedent.saflii.org

5. Judicial Barriers and Delays in Investigative Agencies

IPID suffers from chronic budget shortages, with each investigator handling over 200 cases annually. Furthermore, prosecutors are reluctant to apply torture charges, often processing cases as minor "assault charges." The international community demands the establishment of an independent visiting body under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), but the government has shelved the bill.

6. Public Opinion Ignited by Social Media—The Spread of #StopTubing

Following the Times report, "#StopTubing" and "#PoliceTortureSA" rapidly spread on X (formerly Twitter) and Threads, with a total of 2.2 million mentions recorded in just 48 hours. University lecturer Steven Chan's post, urging to "bring the police back under the law," garnered 34,000 reposts. On Threads, accounts advocating for prison and police reform summarized and disseminated the Times article.threads.com

7. Expert Perspectives—"Scapegoating Amidst Deteriorating Security"

Criminologist Bianca Cherin analyzes that with 20,000 fewer police officers compared to 2010, a culture emphasizing "immediate effectiveness" on the ground has strengthened, preserving excessive and illegal "interrogation techniques." She also points out a vicious cycle where promotions stall due to corruption investigations, accelerating the outflow of human resources.

8. International Reactions and Comparisons

The UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) recommended in its 2019 review to "legislate interrogation procedures and mandate the presence of defense attorneys," but implementation has been limited. Similar suffocation torture has been reported in the security forces of neighboring Zimbabwe, positioning it as a challenge for the entire Southern African region.ohchr.org

9. The Dilemma of the Ruling ANC

The ANC stated in a declaration, "We will now eliminate the torture we once fought against." However, the police union POPCRU retorted, "Are you tying our hands in this harsh security environment?" With pressure from both the left and right, the party is showing signs of division. The torture issue is likely to become a point of contention in next year's local elections.en.wikipedia.org

10. Pathway to Change—A Roadmap Drawn by Civil Society

1. Mandatory Full Recording of Interrogations: According to IPID statistics, the recording rate is only 11%. The goal is to reach 100%.

2. Reallocation of National Budget: Allocate the 450 million Rand in compensation for torture-related lawsuits to strengthen oversight systems.

3. Permanent Presence of Independent Monitors: Grant 24-hour access rights to detention facilities, including the defense forces.

4. "Truth and Reconciliation Commission 2.0": Conduct a comprehensive review of past and present victimization and make records public.

5. International Solidarity: Establish a "Forensic Torture Task Force" with technical cooperation from the EU and AU.
   All these entail political costs, but delays will lead to further victimization and international loss of credibility.

Conclusion

The "invisible torture" of tubing is a negative legacy symbolizing the former regime. South African society now faces the self-question of whether to turn a blind eye to violence to protect freedom. The watchful eyes and voices of citizens are being tested to ensure that the victims' breaths are not taken away again.