In what can certainly be described as South Africa’s darkest and most shameful week since democracy, South Africans glued to their TV’s and social media platforms, watched in horror as unprecedented and widespread looting and damage to property took place at various businesses, shopping centres and other places, in most parts of KZN and many parts of Gauteng, last week.
A number of warehouses were also looted. Even the supposedly most secure warehouse, Value Logistics, in Cato Ridge was attacked. Mobs looted the warehouse over three days, in groups of up to a 1000, with a queue of looters about 3km long, waiting their turn, outside, to rush in. When police realised that there was not much they could do, as they were outnumbered, they took the safer option of turning a blind eye to the terrifying looting incidents. Calm only started returning after the army was deployed to the troubled areas, days later. Latest figures show that at least 335 people died during the looting spree, many of whom were killed by mobs, whilst defending themselves or their property.
President Ramaphosa said that the unrest was an attempted insurrection, with the intention to cripple the economy of the country and dislodge the democratic state, adding that the security cluster was caught off guard as they did not have the capability nor plans in place to respond swiftly and decisively. Around 1400 ATM’s, 300 branches of banks & post offices, over 200 shopping malls, 800 multi-national stores, over 3000 independent stores and 50 KZN schools, were vandalised. About 160 malls, 11 warehouses, 8 factories and 161 liquor outlets, amongst others, were burnt down or suffered serious fire damages. Estimates are that 40,000 businesses and 50,000 informal traders were affected, with about R100 billion harm to the economy. Even the SA National Blood Service building and a number of pharmacies were looted. As South Africans, we are faced with a problem whereby too many are unemployed and face hardships ranging from hunger to illness. Therefore, the option of looting, when fuelled by inciting statements becomes a viable short term solution. However, with all the gloom, there was some ray of hope. Communities, comprising of all races, stood united to defend their folk and property. They also defended nearby businesses from being looted and came in their numbers to clean up in the aftermath. Even Taxi Associations helped by warning potential looters in other areas, of the dire consequences should they loot. Various religious and welfare bodies rallied together to assist those in need. Truckloads of food were sent to KZN, from all parts of the country, including Laudium, as many basic food supplies such as bread, milk and baby formulae were unavailable in KZN, at the height of the looting last week. One of the lessons learned from the past horrible week, is that it is time that we as a community take charge of our affairs. Let us speak out against those who are hell-bent on destroying our hard-earned democracy. Let us say no to… corrupt leaders and officials, to crime, to incompetent civil servants, including the police. Let us work with those who are committed to building South Africa and uniting its people, instead of those who are there for their own pockets, dividing us across racial lines.
Remember violence begets violence.
– Editor
