Video footage of the arrest of a seventy-year-old woman during a march against illegal immigration in Pittermaritzburg has triggered widespread concern regarding the conduct of police officers.
Circumstances of the Detention
The woman, identified as Geetha Singh, a presumed retired teacher, was detained by police during the March and March, Labour and Civic Organisation (LACO) operation on July 10th. The arrest occurred after citizens reported that she was harboring several undocumented foreign nationals.
Singh was subdued and taken to a police station in the rear of an SAPS service vehicle. However, she was subsequently released without charges being filed.
Purpose of the Protest and Police Actions
The arrest took place during a protest organized by March and March and LACO, aimed at identifying undocumented individuals residing and working in Pittermaritzburg. Protesters visited several businesses and a mosque in the northern suburbs, including areas like Manchester Road, Northdale, Ryecrest, and surrounding localities. They inspected both commercial premises and residential homes where they suspected the presence of foreign nationals employed or living there without permits.
The video shows several officers surrounding Singh, who appeared calm but visibly distressed. As the police attempted to escort her through the crowd to the vehicle, muffled verbal exchanges were audible. Shortly thereafter, a female officer removed handcuffs from another officer's pocket and placed them on Singh. The police then escorted the pensioner to the police transport, and the recording shows Singh struggling to climb into the van. After the SAPS doors closed, the crowd began loudly greeting her.
Public and Official Reaction
According to an informed source, the area around Vanker Road in Ryecrest has long been associated with undocumented foreign residents in several houses. The source claimed that Singh was arrested following reports from residents that she was sheltering several illegal immigrants. The source expressed concern over why an elderly woman was publicly transported in police vehicles if the police could not bring criminal charges, adding that she is now traumatized and many reported that she left her home due to humiliation.
Local community leader Rajesh Ramanan called the arrest unjustified, noting that the police, in his opinion, made errors in managing the situation. He stated that since she was elderly and unarmed, a large police presence was excessive, and she should not have been handcuffed. Ramanan emphasized that placing her in the rear of a police van like a criminal was improper. He also questioned how March and March and LACO could dictate to SAPS what to do and whom to arrest, asking if the officers were trying to appease the protesters by arresting an elderly woman.
Riona Gokul, a representative for DA KZN on public safety and relations, stated support for lawful immigration enforcement but warned about the necessity of protecting constitutional rights. She noted that law enforcement must conduct thorough investigations before detention, and accountability must exist in case of errors. Gokul also pointed to the need for improved coordination between SAPS and the Department of Home Affairs. She stressed that immigration control should target lawbreakers but must always be conducted professionally, proportionally, and in accordance with the Constitution.
Context of Intensified Immigration Crackdown
This incident occurs amid the intensification of Premier KZN Thamsangi Ntuli's campaign against illegal immigration in the province. Ntuli warned this week that employers hiring undocumented foreign nationals will face criminal prosecution alongside those illegally residing in South Africa. At the time of publication, SAPS did not respond to requests.