David Bruce

David Bruce is an independent researcher specialising in policing and public security

Covid-19: Police abuses reveal systemic flaws

Analysis David Bruce - 16 Apr 2020

The decision to rely on the police and army to enforce the lockdown was correct, but security force actions show both the weaknesses of the state and of systems for establishing social order

Covid-19: Are we at a disadvantage compared to China and Singapore?

Article David Bruce - 20 Mar 2020

South Africans are economically stressed and will quickly find ways to circumvent restrictions. Without social mobilisation we won't be able to ensure the compliance that other countries have been able to enforce

Rubber bullets well past their sell-by date

Article David Bruce - 6 Dec 2019

Police must distinguish between those acting violently and other protesters when using force

Ignore male victims at society’s peril

Article David Bruce - 19 Sep 2019

There is a crisis of violence against women. But men also suffer brutalisation. This contributes to the abuse of women

Structural youth unemployment solutions require new thinking and new institutions

Analysis David Bruce - 26 Jun 2017

Even if the rate of economic growth were to improve, chronic structural employment will remain for a considerable time

A journey into the tragedy at Marikana

Article David Bruce - 17 Mar 2016

A book by Greg Marinovich highlights the exploitation that led to the Marikana tragedy, writes David Bruce.

[From our archives] Phiyega flew too close to the sun

Analysis David Bruce - 19 Nov 2015

With access to high political power, she believed she was unaccountable and untouchable, writes David Bruce.

Policing: One policy size does not fit all

Article David Bruce - 3 Sep 2015

National commissioner Riah Phiyega's questionable fitness for office is just one of the many problems the SAPS faces, writes David Bruce.

Marikana: A massacre by any other name

Article David Bruce - 14 Aug 2015

How should we characterise the police actions on the afternoon of August 16 2012 that started with a 10 second burst of gunfire?

Mthethwa set the scene at Marikana

Article David Bruce - 11 Jul 2015

As police minister he provided the political guidance that framed the SAPS's actions.

Marikana will always stalk Ramaphosa

Analysis David Bruce - 19 Jun 2015

The politician remains vulnerable in the quest to hold those responsible to account.

‘Why does KZN lead in police killings?’

Analysis David Bruce - 7 May 2015

Statistics suggest there was more than one police unit in the province linked to unlawful killings.

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Press Releases

Special Reports

Land reform still a hot potato

special reports - 24 Nov 2020

The land has got to belong to all the people of South Africa, and many believe that there’s no other mechanism for that except expropriation

Special Reports

UP chemical pathology scientists develop ground-breaking nanobodies for Covid-19 detection and therapy

special reports - 24 Nov 2020

Nanobodies are smaller than conventional antibodies and easier to work with so they are ideal for good cheap sensitive rapid tests for Covid-19

Special Reports

Inclusion as learned experience in higher education

special reports - 23 Nov 2020

Understanding the complexity of intersections between oppressions relating to race and gender is key to any commitment to creating a culture of inclusion and social justice

Special Reports

Local government in crisis: how it can be fixed

special reports - 20 Nov 2020

Local governments are supposed to promote non-racial development, in a decentralised manner, but the reality does not match up

Special Reports

Covid-19 accelerates adoption of technology by the African property sector

special reports - 20 Nov 2020

It’s not the technology itself that is valuable, it’s the opportunities that it creates: this may be the perfect time for reinvention

Special Reports

BE 1 OF 8 LUCKY PEOPLE TO DRIVE OFF WITH R80 000

special reports - 19 Nov 2020

From 23 to 30 November 2020, simply purchase any BMW bearing the number “8” and you could be one of eight lucky people to drive off with R80 000

Special Reports

Introducing Sabinet Judgments

special reports - 18 Nov 2020

A well-rounded view of reported and unreported judgments supplemented by an advanced system to enable users to rapidly find the information they require

Special Reports

The Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health Systems Support Research and Publication Interventions

special reports - 13 Nov 2020

The project places emphasis on rolling out a standardised package of occupational health services and mining safety standards across four countries