Walking the Tight Rope: Public Order and Political Repression

In much of Africa, state power is so massive that the so-called civil society is rendered useless. South Africa seemed to be different but that country is also being challenged by recent events. While Rwanda and Egypt, for example, clearly manifest dictatorial tendencies, the case of South Africa is far more troubling. Is it possible to have a free society and order in Africa? How come that political opposition is mostly seen as a danger to the existence of most African states?