In South Africa, around two dozen police, some in riot gear, others mounted on horseback and some with sniffer dogs, on Wednesday 12th January uprooted cannabis plants grown by indigenous activists who have camped outside President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office for more than three years.
A Khoisan leader who clings to a shoulder-height cannabis plant was arrested as they drag it across the presidential lawn in Pretoria.
King Khoisan , indigenous Khoisan leader
« Police, I am telling you, you have declared war today. »
« We’ve been here peacefully and you have been instructed to do what you were supposed to do. We are coming for you. » he added
The Khoisan were formerly known as Bushmen or Hottentots – a name coined by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, reflecting the clicks characteristic of their languages.
During the raid, another activist yelled in Afrikaans at the police, asking them : « For plants ? For plants ? You are rubbish people in uniforms. »
