WeeklySA_AdminBLACK LIVES MATTER – VICTIMS DESERVE JUSTICE
BLACK life cannot be criminalised and dehumanised by people who take the law into their own hands – as happened recently when Indian vigilantes murdered nearly 59 people in three predominantly Indian residential areas in KwaZulu-Natal – targeted simply because they were of African descent.
Black people, like any other racial groups in the world, have a right to life, security and to be free from discrimination in line with the provisions of the International Human Rights Law. The senseless racist killing of black men and women and the severe assault of many others in Phoenix (38), Chatsworth (13) in Durban and Northdale (eight) in Pietermaritzburg must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The death toll was announced last night by KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala during a TV interview. South Africa, as a democratic country, cannot tolerate racist thugs who masquerade as law-abiding citizens acting in the guise of protecting their neighbourhood and properties while mowing down innocent men and women.
Black people ought not – as so often happened randomly and with impunity during apartheid times – be subjected to killings, torture and inhumane treatment, again simply because of the colour of their skin. Black lives matter and are not cheap.
Needless to say, the public outrage over these racist killings is therefore justified, despite muted reaction in some quarters, veiled attempts at cover-up and the barbarism behind the Phoenix, Chatsworth and Northdale massacre being downplayed by some quarters – even a coterie of so-called human rights champions.
We shudder to think what the reaction would have been, if the victims were white people and/or from other races. Whatever alleged crimes some of the victims were suspected to have committed, still no one had the right to take the law unto their own hands. Nothing can erase the fact that those who committed these dastardly and murderous deeds were driven by racial hatred. Nogal, how do they explain the callous and coldblooded murder of women.
No ways! For their part, the law enforcement agencies have done well in apprehending the suspects, though progress towards making the arrests in Phoenix seemed to have moved into overdrive mode only when a special investigation team had been appointed. We pray that justice prevails in the end. For, closure must be accorded to the many grieving spouses who are widowed, children orphaned, families torn apart…and the nation further divided.
We do not condone the indiscriminate and wanton looting, for which hundreds of suspects already have to face the full wrath of the law. Indeed, it is just as deplorable that the scenario leading to the racist murders was actually started by the wanton and destruction of property earlier this month. But, alas, there is still no moral justification for the bloodbath unleashed on the unsuspecting nation that day, either. Finally, we call on law-abiding citizens to allow the wheel of justice to take its course while also urging black communities in the affected areas to stay calm and not to be provoked into needless acts of revenge. In the meantime, police must be allowed to complete their investigations without hindrance.
Relief package lauded
THE R5,3 billion temporary relief package announced by government for businesses and workers adversely affected by the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng should be welcomed as this would bring some glimmer of hope for the affected parties.
Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi, said the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Covid 19 temporary relief was extended by this amount in line with the government’s intervention plans announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the weekend.
