The state kicked those men 'like a football'

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Thu 06 Jul   [Ron Derby] I wasn’t lucky enough to follow the presidency of Nelson Mandela, but from what I understand, his entourage wasn’t filled with as many gun-toting bodyguards that many of today’s politicians now expect. Our paranoid former president, Jacob Zuma, had the most impressive security detail, with reports that there were more than 20 in the latter stages of his bad presidency. Under his administration, it became a perk of the job along with a glitterati of advisers. (Remember former finance minister, Malusi Gigaba, who on his first day at the treasury walked in with more than 16 ministerial staff and advisers.) These entourages, which include security detail and a bunch of “yes” men and women, have become rather symbolic of the widening gap between politicians and the everyday South African. So the actions of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit this week come as no surprise. The state, our state, kicked those men “like a football”, behaving in a manner rather reminiscent of the apartheid state, which was a criminal enterprise. No new dawn here. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [Crime-Scene-shooting]( Premium [Umgeni Water executive gunned down days before merger]( Xolani Chamane had been at the meeting at which murdered councillor Mnqobi Molefe was threatened with death last year Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is available only to subscribers Subscribe Join the M&G Community The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. By subscribing, you become a valued member of the M&G community, actively championing independent journalism and enabling us to deliver the latest news directly to you. Your subscription plays a vital role in supporting our mission and unlocks: - M&G community membership - access to all articles online, including premium subs-only features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper emailed to you every week - invites to subscriber only events - the opportunity to test new online features, first [Subscribe]( Already a subscriber? login here. [// Read more]( [ZumaED_161340(1)]( [Zuma’s private prosecution of Ramaphosa ruled unlawful]( The high court found that Zuma’s bid to criminally charge his successor was tainted by ulterior purpose and an abuse of process [// Read more]( [GettyImages-1245223750]( [Four VIP officers in assault video served with suspension notices]( The South African National Defence Union said the victims have been told not to discuss the matter with the police while the Independent Police Investigative Directorate holds its inquiry [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [On our mind: Could getting hit on the head during sport cause brain disease later?]( In a new recommendation, experts are calling for more time during games for players to be checked thoroughly, which could mean the rules of play may have to change [// Read more]( [Mbalula: Don’t blame ANC for highway police brutality]( The ANC secretary general said the country would ‘forever’ remember the VIP police protection unit assault [// Read more]( [SA ranks high on official gender equality measures – but that’s not the full story]( The World Economic Forum report provides a pessimistic outlook for women’s rights, including economic participation and opportunity, education, health and political empowerment [// Read more]( [How to resolve SA’s political accountability crisis]( Citizens suffer when the state is not held to account and directly electing MPs and members of the provincial legislature could solve this. [// Read more]( [Africa may lose $25bn annually to EU carbon border tax]( Carbon tax measures will remain so African countries need to develop green industrialisation with support for this through investments [// Read more]( Pic of the day [gettyimages-1516298383-594x594] Sphere lights up for the first time in celebration of Independence Day on July 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 366-foot-tall, 516-foot-wide venue, the largest spherical structure on Earth, features an Exosphere with a 580,000-square-foot display, the largest LED screen in the world, and is expected to open later in 2023. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa