SAJFP is appalled by the sharp escalation in the suppression of pro-Palestinian activism in Cape Town.
On Friday, the 28th of March, our long-time comrade Uzair Mahomed, leader of the Palestinian Solidarity organisation Cape Town Intifada, was arrested without charge. Scrambling to justify the unlawful arrest, the cops targeted Uzair for ‘wearing a mask’. Wearing a mask is not illegal — in fact, about two weeks ago the SAPS protected masked and armed CSO officers as they harassed peaceful activists protesting a Zionist conference in the city. While it is not illegal to arrest someone without a warrant, the arresting officer must either have witnessed an offense taking place or have reasonable suspicion that one was committed. In this case the arrest was clearly unlawful.
Uzair’s arrest comes at a time not of creeping, but all-out barreling global fascism. Daily we receive news of unlawful arrests in supposedly free countries that have given up the need for due process. As Jews this reminds us immediately of the regime that tried to eliminate us. It seems South Africa is not immune to this trend. With austerity in full swing, and the DA and Afriforum emboldened by the Trump-Musk presidency, an affront on our right to protest and freedom of expression should not come as a surprise.
Uzair Mohamed’s arrest is the latest iteration of Zionist-directed, and DA-supported, quashing of pro-Palestinian activism. From the Outdoor Advertising by-law of 2023, which allowed the city to paint over the mural of a Palestinian flag, to SAJBD’s lawfare against pro-Palestinian voices, the right-wing is out in full force against free speech. In true Zionist tradition, it is weaponising claims of antisemitism for this end.
We cannot forget that our constitution is founded on human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. In unison we must defend such primary constitutional rights as the right to protest and the right to freedom of expression. Only with firm resolve can we resist this tide of fascism. By insisting on our right to speak out for those being massacred in Gaza we also protect our own freedoms. There must thus be a full and thorough investigation into this abuse of state power — and the relevant authorities have to be held accountable.
Like others who oppose the grotesque brutality being visited on Gaza, we stand with Uzair Mohamed and refuse to be intimidated. As South Africans we cannot allow the security apparatus that should be protecting our fundamental freedoms to be weaponised against us and subordinated to Zionist ends. We implore our fellow South Africans to give this the attention it deserves such that our country does not give in to such international trends as threaten the freedom, security and dignity of everyone.
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