The purpose of this report is to analyze the factual framework relating to the August 2018 and January 2019 crackdown on civilians by the State in the context of the legal contours of crimes against humanity. The report discusses and gives an evaluation of whether the two events and the human rights violations that occurred meet the threshold of crimes against humanity. Based on a review of available information from primary data and other secondary reports, it is apparent that State agents used excessive force to quell both demonstrations under discussion.

During the 1 August 2018 events, it has been established that the police and the military unleashed a wave of violence characterized by the use of excessive force to suppress the demonstrations. Evidence presented confirmed that in some instances the army and the police used live ammunition targeting unarmed civilians. Given that most of the targeted civilians were unarmed and fleeing the State agents, the use of live ammunition was clearly unjustified and disproportionate. The military also used sjamboks, baton sticks and rifle butts to indiscriminately assault members of the public. Because of the action by State security agents, seven people died from gunshot wounds whilst twenty-three people sustained gunshot injuries.

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