Arrests condemned

2009-07-04 16:29

Johannesburg - The arrest of more than 300 Zimbabweans in central Johannesburg was condemned by the Legal Resources Centre and Lawyers for Human Rights on Saturday.

"We have been informed by the SAPS that the purpose of the raid was to clear the streets and enforce municipal bylaws," the two organisations said in a joint statement.

"The heavy-handed approach of the authorities was an entirely disproportionate response to the alleged infringement of a minor municipal bylaw."

The arrests took place on Friday night outside the Central Methodist Church and the South Gauteng High Court in central Johannesburg.

Medecins Sans Frontires / Doctors Without Borders in South Africa said a total of 344 Zimbabweans were arrested.

Metro Police Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the people were arrested for loitering and sleeping on the pavements, following numerous complaints from the high court and business owners in the city.

The two legal organisations said the only crime the people had committed was to be destitute and without shelter.

"We express concern at reports that a number of people sustained injuries during the arrests."

The lawyers said they were refused access to the arrested people.

"In spite of our requests, we have not been permitted to consult with those in detention."

The lawyers called on the city and the provincial government to "urgently deliver on their undertaking to provide basic shelter to the people seeking refuge at the Central Methodist Church".

Earlier, Minnaar said all women and children were being released on a warning.

Men were being released after paying the R300 admission of guilt fine.

"Those who do not have the money to pay the fine would have to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday."

However MSF spokesperson Borrie La Grange said most people could not be released because they could not pay the R300 fine.

He also said MSF staff had allegedly seen the police mishandling the people during arrests.

"When police officers rounded the Zimbabweans up they were pushed to ground and some were threatened with electric stun guns."

However, Minnaar said those arrested were not mistreated: "We can't assault innocent people, that's not true."

- SAPA