Something is rotten in the state of South Africa. Wait, before you jump on the SA-bashing bandwagon, let me rephrase that. Something is rotten in the state of South Africa when the president's guards (feel free to substitute the word with 'thugs') can rough up a reporter for taking a photograph of the president going about his presidential duties.

Sound familiar? That may be because just last month they arrested and interrogated a young man for allegedly daring to show Zuma's cavalcade the middle finger.

Now, it may be that my memory is faulty, but I find it difficult to remember any such abuse by the protection units of the three previous democratically-elected presidents of South Africa. And yet, within the space of a month, Zuma's guards have found it necessary to subdue a reporter and a frustrated jogger. Oh, the threats to national security!

Sure, there may be a rogue element in Zuma's security team that has taken things a little too far, but this is unlikely. The paranoia reflects the paranoia of the presidency. The uncalled-for show of strength and display of power is a warning to those who dare to cross or question the president. The complete disregard for the law and the average South African citizen cements the notion that the ANC and its president believe that they are above the law.

This creed of loyalty at all costs ? embodied so enthusiastically by Zuma's lackey Julius Malema ? is one which should be strongly discouraged. It blurs the line between right and wrong. It encourages the most insidious of sycophants. And it breeds a culture of fear and mistrust.

Citizens should feel free to express their disdain, contempt, or frustration. Journalists should be able to do their jobs unhindered. And columnists should be able put their names to their columns without fear of reprisals. Those are the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution. Those are the freedoms many South Africans ? including those currently in power ? fought for.

Perhaps these are isolated cases. Perhaps. But sometimes small threats of state-sanctioned violence are enough to stifle freedoms. And sometimes they are symptomatic of a more pervasive mentality ? a hint of the violations that are yet to come.

Now, fellow South Africans, is the time to stand up and be counted. Now, while we can still raise our voices and pens in protest, is the time to object to these abuses of power. However small or trivial the perceived offence may be. Because if we fail to do so, we may soon find that we are no longer able to do so.

Listen to Tshepo Lesole talk about his experience:

Is Rebekah overreacting? Share your thoughts below...