KLIPTOWN – What began as a day of hope and opportunity for unemployed youth in Kliptown, south of Johannesburg, descended into a scene of chaos and alleged police brutality on 24 November 2020. Dozens of young people, eager to secure employment at a retail store set to open that day, were met with teargas, rubber bullets, and arrests, leaving many traumatised and disillusioned.
The day's events have left a lasting scar on the community, with eighteen victims now suing the state for police brutality and unlawful arrest. Their attorney, Denise Wangra, has described the incident as a clear abuse of power, highlighting the desperate circumstances that led these young people to gather outside the store in the first place.
Nthabiseng Natasha Ramaite (38), who was 33 at the time of the incident, arrived early that morning with the hope of securing a job. Instead, she claims she was shot nine times by a female police officer, despite having her hands raised in surrender.
“All we wanted were jobs. Instead, we were treated like criminals,” Nthabiseng recounted tearfully. “That woman cop shot at me 9 times. She wasn’t even remorseful. She kept firing, even when I raised my hands.”
Nthabiseng said that the chaos erupted when police allegedly responded to the crowd with force, rather than attempting to communicate with them. She and others were forced to lie on the ground, enduring further abuse.
“There were 10 of us lying on top of each other. They shot at us while swearing, treating us like animals. Later, they made us stand up, hold hands, and sing like preschool children, while bleeding," Nthabiseng claimed.
Overwhelmed by fear and shock, Nthabiseng said she soiled herself twice during the ordeal. The physical and emotional scars of that day continue to haunt her. “I don’t even like my body anymore. I’m left with holes from the bullets. I feel disfigured and dehumanised," she said.
Another job seeker, Lennox Vanqase, echoed Nthabiseng's sentiments, describing the day as a descent into a nightmare. “I walked out that morning with my CV. Next thing, I was dodging bullets and locked up in a filthy police cell,” he said.
Lennox, like many others, maintained that the gathering was peaceful, with their only concern being that the store had not prioritised hiring locals from Kliptown. “While we waited outside, tear gas filled the air. Then came the rubber bullets. I was shot. Then they were arrested. We were taken to Kliptown Police Station, then to Lillian Ngoyi for medical attention, and back again,” he said.
Inside the police cells, conditions were reportedly dire. “The toilet didn’t work. They covered it with a blanket. The food was spoiled. The blankets were filthy. We were treated like we didn’t matter,” Lennox added.
Early the next morning, the group had their fingerprints taken and were charged with public disturbance. They were then sent to the Lenasia Magistrates Court.
According to Wangra, the tensions escalated when a police officer allegedly mocked a job seeker's clothing, asking, “Who are you supposed to serve dressed like that?” The job seeker allegedly responded, saying their matric results were likely better than the officer’s, and was then targeted and shot twice.
“Nine people were arrested, including seven women, one of whom was pregnant. One victim was shot nine times and left bleeding in a cell. This is nothing short of brutality,” Wangra said.
The legal team is pursuing charges for unlawful detention, excessive force, and emotional trauma. “These young people weren’t criminals. They were just desperate for an opportunity,” said Wangra.
The matter is now before the Kliptown Regional Court, where the eighteen victims hope to find justice and accountability for the alleged police brutality they endured.
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