Legally, the South African constitution recognises the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket peacefully and unarmed, which is regulated in terms of the Regulation of Gatherings Act. Furthermore, the constitution protects disruption, providing it is peaceful and unarmed, and the Act draws the line at serious disruption. But South Africa is increasingly at odds with international standards around the proper management of assemblies within a human rights framework.

The Marikana massacre, the Fees Must Fall protests the Sharpeville massacre, the June 16 protests and the Bisho massacre - these peaceful protests were met with violence by the authorities and the SAPS. Yet, the protesters were often the ones painted as violent.

Guest: Stanley Malematja - Attorney at Right to Protest