Siyabulela Jentile
Human Rights Activist
By Siyabulela Jentile
Human Rights Activist
I issue this statement in my personal capacity as a South African human rights activist who has dedicated years to strengthening civic participation, advancing accountable governance, and defending the integrity of democratic spaces in our country.
Recent allegations that civic groups may be mobilised, directly or indirectly to destabilise or disrupt the G20 proceedings in South Africa are deeply concerning.
South Africa has fought too hard, and lost too much, to allow its democratic institutions to be manipulated for geopolitical agendas that do not serve the interests of its people.
Civil society is meant to be a force for justice, transparency, and community empowerment.
It must never become a channel through which external actors wage proxy battles, undermine national sovereignty, or sow social division.
When foreign interference masquerades as activism, it weakens public trust in legitimate community struggles and taints the credibility of genuine human-rights work carried out by local organisations who operate with integrity and accountability.
At the same time, South Africa must remain vigilant without sliding into an atmosphere where dissent is painted as disloyalty.
We must distinguish between authentic civic engagement, which is essential for any democracy and coordinated efforts designed to destabilise, mislead, or inflame tensions.
Transparency, evidence, and due process must guide all investigations into these allegations.
As a nation hosting the G20, we have a responsibility to safeguard the rights of peaceful assembly and expression, while also protecting the event from being weaponised by groups acting under external influence.
Our response must be balanced: firm in defending sovereignty, but equally firm in defending constitutional freedoms.
I call on government, security agencies, and civil society leaders to work collaboratively to ensure the safety, legitimacy, and inclusivity of the G20 processes.
South Africa must not allow its civic space to become a battlefield for foreign interests nor should we allow fear to silence critical voices rooted in genuine local struggles.
Our democracy is strongest when it is transparent, principled, and guided by the will and wellbeing of the South African people.
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