Institute of Race Relations media statement

The IRR has noted the raid on the offices of the Helen Suzman Foundation. The IRR said it had little doubt the raid was a covert operation by rogue State security forces.
The IRR’s CEO Dr Frans Cronje said, “Helen Suzman started her career at the IRR and worked closely with the organisation throughout her life. Today, inspired by her brave example, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Foundation, its staff, and its trustees in sending a clear message that efforts at intimidation will not succeed in derailing the work of South Africa’s liberal pro-democracy groups.”
A spokesperson at the IRR, Ms Unathi Matwasa, said in the view of the IRR the raid was a positive indicator, “as it proves that efforts by the Foundation to apply pressure to rogue elements in the State are working. If they were not under pressure from the Foundation they would not have taken such a risk”.
According to Matwasa, “these are dangerous times for South Africa’s democracy. There are sinister people in powerful positions who have hijacked influential State institutions and do not wish to see our democracy survive. They will go to any lengths and engage in any abuse to escape justice for corruption and other crimes. Against them stand a relative handful of democracy activists. The future of our democracy is in many respects becoming a battle of David against Goliath”.