South African controversial anti-immigrant activist Zandile Dabula was struck by teargas and pepper spray on Saturday, 22 November, as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) clashed with protesters near the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, where President Cyril Ramaphosa and world leaders are attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
SAPS officers moved to disperse a group of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) members and Operation Dudula activists who had gathered near the heavily secured venue, demanding to address President Ramaphosa and visiting dignitaries.
Police deployed teargas and pepper spray to push back the crowd, and water cannons were positioned nearby as a precaution.
Videos circulating online showed Dabula sitting in a vehicle, coughing and rubbing her eyes after being exposed to the chemical agents.
Later, speaking to reporters, Dabula accused police of using excessive force against South African protesters instead of focusing their efforts on combating crime.
“The sad thing is that the force they are showing to us as South Africans, they can’t show it to criminals. That is why we are having the Madlanga Commission today”.
“When they are supposed to do the right thing to the criminals, they don’t do it. Some of us are arrested for fighting crime — for fighting illegality that is happening in the country.”
More: IOL
