In a recent interview, activist and political commentator Nisa Bardien weighed in on the arrest of Uzair Mahomed, a pro-Palestinian advocate detained during a peaceful protest in Cape Town. The arrest, which took place near Parliament, has stirred public concern around what Bardien describes as “a systematic pattern of repression” against individuals and movements that express solidarity with Palestine.
Bardien, who was present at the protest, described the scene in stark detail. “It was a quiet protest. There were not even 10 people there,” she said. “He [Uzair Mahomed] was taken into custody for wearing a mask. He wasn’t doing anything unlawful. He wasn’t even holding a placard.” The use of mask-related charges, despite the post-COVID context, was one of many points Bardien used to illustrate what she sees as the politicisation of protest in South Africa.
According to Bardien, this isn’t an isolated event. “What we’re seeing is a pattern globally,” she said. “Activists in the US and UK are also being arrested, deported, or targeted simply for supporting Palestine.” She referenced a recent case in the US where an activist was denied entry due to her stance on Israeli apartheid. “This is not just about Uzair; it’s about silencing anyone who challenges imperial narratives.”
The arrest took place in Cape Town and Mahomed was held for several hours before being released. His upcoming court date looms, with charges still uncertain. “We still don’t know what the exact charges are. Some are saying it’s about wearing a mask in public, but that law has already expired. It’s bizarre,” Bardien added.
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While the legal proceedings play out, the arrest has intensified discussion about the racial and political dynamics in South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape. Bardien pointed to historical tensions between “black and brown communities and the Israeli-supporting population,” adding, “Many brown and black people are feeling the same way, they’re seeing the silence from certain institutions and politicians as betrayal.”
Despite these divisions, Bardien emphasized the importance of solidarity. “This is about standing against injustice everywhere. South Africans, more than anyone, should understand apartheid. We’ve lived it. We should be at the forefront of this fight.” She urged civil society to rally around Uzair Mahomed and others like him, warning that “if we let this go quietly, it will set a dangerous precedent.”
She also underscored the importance of creating support systems for activists who face legal and social backlash. “We need legal backup, media awareness, and public solidarity. This can’t be about individuals anymore, it’s about the movement.”
As for Mahomed, Bardien said he is doing okay for now but noted the toll that arrests like this can take. “These kinds of intimidation tactics are meant to break people, but they only make our voices louder.”
In the coming weeks, activists are expected to mobilize further around Mahomed’s case, which is being closely watched by legal experts, journalists, and human rights organizations. Whether it results in dropped charges or a drawn-out court battle, Bardien hopes it will mark a turning point in public awareness.
This isn’t just about Palestine, it’s also about freedom of speech and trying to resist injustice, wherever it happens.
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