A South African social media commentator, researcher, and geopolitics analyst, popularly known as [Evaluator @_AfricanSoil], has formally escalated allegations of serious human rights violations against the South African Office of the Presidency, multiple state institutions, and media houses. The matter has been reported to both domestic and international authorities in pursuit of justice.
African Times has seen the letter.
According to a detailed complaint submitted to oversight bodies, the geopolitics commentator alleges they were subjected to unlawful targeting, surveillance, and persecution by state security structures, law enforcement agencies, and associated entities over several years. The case has now been formally reported to the Office of the Chief Justice, the Speaker of Parliament, and international institutions including the International Court of Justice and the United Nations Human Rights Council, alongside various embassies and global human rights organisations.
The complaint outlines that the complainant was subjected to extensive profiling due to opinions expressed online, particularly on political, historical, and social justice issues. Allegations include unlawful interception of communications, monitoring of personal devices, and the leaking of private information to media outlets. Central to the complaint is the assertion that, in the aftermath of the 2021 unrest in South Africa, state authorities sought to identify individuals to blame as “scapegoats” rather than accept responsibility for failures in governance and security.
The complainant states that senior officials were not held accountable for failing to contain the violence and destruction during the riots. Instead, under pressure from the business sector following widespread economic losses, authorities allegedly pursued a narrative that shifted blame onto selected individuals.
According to the submission and a letter seen by African Times, law enforcement and intelligence structures, particularly within SAPS Crime Intelligence, are said to have conducted prolonged and unlawful profiling of certain individuals prior to the July unrest. This suggests that a file had already been opened to profile the individual before the riots.
The geopolitics commentator alleges that these pre-existing investigations were then used to identify and target individuals who could be publicly blamed, despite a lack of credible evidence linking them to the events. They further named institutions, journalists, Chapter 9 institution heads, and ministers allegedly involved in targeting them.
The complaint further states that this approach served as a diversion from addressing the actual perpetrators of the violence and from holding responsible officials accountable. In doing so, the commentator claims the state knowingly endangered their life, safety, and reputation, constituting a serious violation of fundamental human rights.
The global news commentator further alleges that, during the unrest, state authorities falsely linked them to orchestrating violence and accused them of colluding with a group of so-called former intelligence officials, an accusation they maintain was never supported by credible evidence. According to the complainant, court findings and related inquiries did not substantiate these allegations and instead pointed to an abuse of state power, which led to the case being struck off in March 2022.
Despite subsequent legal outcomes reportedly clearing the individual of wrongdoing, the complaint states that no apology, accountability, or compensation has been provided by the authorities involved. The international relations analyst adds that, years later, justice remains delayed, with no meaningful resolution from the state. Instead, the civil case against alleged state misconduct has reportedly been stalled at the Office of the State Attorney since 2022.
Correspondence sent to various institutions has, in some instances, been acknowledged, with certain bodies indicating that the matter is under review. International organisations are reportedly engaging with South African government structures named in the letter to seek clarity and accountability regarding the alleged violations.
In addition, some international human rights organisations and global media outlets have expressed interest in the case and have reportedly requested interviews with the geopolitics commentator to gain a deeper understanding of the allegations and surrounding events. The publication has seen the complaint, which names a range of individuals and entities allegedly involved in the targeting operation, including members of South African intelligence structures, law enforcement agencies, an NGO, as well as journalists and media houses. These parties have been identified in the documentation as part of a broader network that the individual claims was responsible for the alleged profiling and persecution.
The social commentator continues to pursue justice through both domestic legal channels and international advocacy, calling for intervention, accountability, and redress after enduring years of what is described as unlawful targeting and systemic abuse.
The case raises broader concerns about the protection of civil liberties, the use of state power, and the safeguarding of freedom of expression in South Africa.
African Times contacted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, to establish whether he had received the letter. After 48 hours, no comment had been received.
The Office of the Chief Justice acknowledged receipt of the letter. The CJ’s office stated that it does not have the power to investigate members of the executive.
“The Office of the Chief Justice is not empowered to initiate an investigation against the President or a member of the Executive.” said OCJ Communications.
African Times has also seen acknowledgement of receipt from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and other human rights groups.
