Table of contents for 2021-07-21 in Post

WE, the editors of Isolezwe and POST, condemn the recent looting and bloodshed in several parts of our province and country. What is of particular concern is the rising racial tension in our province. We acknowledge the pain and anger that is being felt by so many. Lives and livelihoods have been lost. While condemning the violence, it is important to note that the looting and killings were perpetrated by a small group of people. Most South Africans were not involved in the acts of violence. There is, therefore, no need to condemn an entire community for the actions of a few. President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that the recent events were part of a “deliberate, co-ordinated and well-planned attack on our democracy”. There was a deliberate attempt made…

Charlene Somduth and Latoya Newman THE road to recovery for businesses with be a long one, says Nigel Ward, the president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC. The organisation has partnered with eThekwini Municipality to assess the impact of the civil unrest. "As it stands, the economic impact estimates are more than R1.5 billion in loss of stock, more than R15bn of damage to property and equipment. There were more than 50 000 informal traders affected and 40 000 businesses affected and a bigger portion might not come back," said Ward. He said more than 150 000 jobs were at risk and close to 1.5 million people were at home with no income, due to the unrest. “The total impact to the eThekwini GDP is estimated at…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za COMMUNITY leaders are calling for peace amid the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. They believe this can be achieved through dialogue, showing compassion and understanding the plight of the Indian and African communities in the province. Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, said she was calling on people to look at the current situation with compassion. "This is a serious problem across our country. On one hand, some of those people who are looting are doing so as an act of criminality, vandalism, and with a political agenda. On the other hand, we have people who are being motivated to loot because of hunger and poverty. We need to look at both sides and not paint everyone with the same brush." Logie Naidoo, the former Speaker for the…

Nikita Chiniah and Nokuthula Mabuza DURING the violence in KwaZulu-Natal, some residents continued to protect their suburbs. They say they are protecting their neighbours, irrespective of race. Aidan David, the chairperson of the Isipingo Community Police Forum (CPF), said: "The past few days have been challenging. People are now saying there is tension between Indians and blacks and that barricades are being set up to keep black people out of neighbourhoods. But what is happening has nothing to do with interracial relations. Historically, Indians and blacks have always worked well together. We are merely protecting all race groups in Isipingo from being looted." Vijay Naicker, an administrator of three WhatsApp crime groups in Chatsworth, said: "I want to place on record that not all black people are looting and…

Yogin Devan WITH the words Udokotela Wamazinyo emblazoned on the road-facing window of his surgery, Sid Reddy ran a dental practice mainly for the poor in semi- rural Mariannhill, west of Durban, for more than 35 years. Patients came from near and far – not only because this was the only dental surgery in the vicinity but also because there was a long relationship with the kind and affable Dr Reddy whose fees belonged to a long-gone era. He charged R200 for a normal tooth extraction whereas the medical rate is upward of R500. And he would include painkillers, or even an antibiotic if there was infection, in the deal. Last week, Dr Reddy walked on the debris of his charred consulting room which he considered as sacred, for it…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A VERULAM dad who was allegedly knocked and killed while patrolling his community, has been hailed for his contribution towards safety. Abdool Wahid Sayed, 40, of Mount Vernon, was assisting the community by patrolling the area during the unrest when he was knocked in an alleged hit-and-run last Tuesday. The father of seven, who suffered head injuries, was taken to hospital. He died the following day. Rokaya Sayed, his sister, said he was a humble and good-hearted person. “He always put the needs of others before his own. We believe he was intentionally knocked and hit by a speeding car.” Sayed said Abdool was one of the founders of the NPO, Share of Strength (SOS), and that he was involved in charity drives to assist poor communities.…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za BOTH furnaces and equipment at the 40-year-old Ladysmith Crematorium were damaged during the protests last week. On Friday, a video circulated on social media showing the destruction of the property. This week, Anook Singh, the chairperson of the crematorium, said: “A crematorium is a person's last place of finality. It's where their loved ones bid them goodbye for one last time and here we had people running through, damaging and destroying the place and setting things alight. “This is the only crematorium in Ladysmith. The closest facility is about 100km away in Newcastle.” He said staff at the Newcastle crematorium had agreed to extend its operational hours to accommodate the backlog in cremations due to the closure, "It is sad because families have to travel further away…

The night stretches on And calls and cries pierce the air. Darkness looms as does danger. The boom of explosions ring in the depths of our subconscious. But the soldiers journey on. We quiver and ponder the volatility. We shiver and wander because of instability. Our minds collapse into a deep seemingless chasm. But the soldiers journey on. We beckon for resolve and salvation. And weep in the lap of helplessness. Our triumph lies in prayer, we know, Yet we feel hopeless in the moment. But the soldiers journey on. Our reserves are in reality, our heroes Our true resolve, our pandemic saviours Soldiers of Port Shepstone, You have dedicated your souls to conquer and claim your birthright, Your right to desire a life with freedom, Your right to groom…

I AM blinded by worry, I sit, praying, crying, having sleepless nights because my heart, my heartbeats, and my soul is in Chatsworth protecting my community, my family, and our own. In my eyes, heroes don’t wear capes. They are the men and women of my community, true heroes. Chatsworth was built in 1860, as a bulwark between the white community and the black community. And succinctly so, we became the target of looting and shooting. Indians were brought to South Africa from India to work the sugar cane fields. However, because of our resilient nature, and our inborn ability to survive, to grow, to build, and to create, we built homes, schools, universities, and businesses. From humble beginnings, we worked hard for every thing we have. Nobody gave us…

THE first major test of how an Olympics can be held in the midst of a pandemic may well come this week in the men’s soccer tournament when Japan face a SA side that could struggle to field 11 players due to the novel coronavirus. South Africa’s squad was severely depleted by Covid-19 infections and withdrawals before they left for the Games and was then hit with the news that two players and a video analyst had tested positive on arrival in Tokyo. Organisers said late on Monday that 21 members of the delegation were close contacts, leaving South Africa walking a tightrope ahead of tomorrow’s match against the hosts. The number was later reduced to 18. The Olympic playbook on coronavirus prevention measures mandates that to compete a…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za LAST Monday night, Lindiswa Caluza could not sleep. Her son, Sandile Caluza, 18, was missing amid the violence that had swept through Durban. Earlier that day, around midday, Caluza had gone to see his friends who lived in the area. The eldest of three siblings, he was a Grade 11 pupil at Inanda Secondary School. He was also the family’s hope of a better life. By the time darkness fell, her son still hadn’t returned home, and Caluza, who lives in Inanda, tried calling him. His cellphone went unanswered. She then tried calling his friends. They confirmed he had spent time with them that afternoon but said he had left for home at around 8pm. For the next few days, Caluza spent her time trying to find…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za FAITH-BASED leaders and organisations have called for communities to engage in a dialogue to better understand one another. This comes following allegations of racial tension between Indians and Africans due to the looting over the past few days in KwaZulu-Natal. Ashwin Trikamjee, the president of South African Hindu Maha Sabha, said faith and community leaders played a pivotal role during this time in finding a way forward. “The starting point is our faith- leaders, who are able to talk to people with dignity and respect to interact with the communities. During a meeting with leaders from the different faith groups last week, we all agreed that prayer was needed. “During this time, we all need to pray together, for our people and for the safety of our…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za ANIMAL owners and rescue organisations are appealing for pet food that is in limited supply. Sorisha Moodley, of Verulam, who has two pit bulls, said: “My dogs are like my children and seeing them looking at me, waiting for food makes me helpless. I have had no choice but to cook and share the little food I had for my family. I miss seeing their happy faces and wagging tails when they see their favourite food. I hope shops get enough stock soon.” Debby Holmes, an animal rescuer at Nicky’s Little Claw in Pinetown, said they catered to more than 300 feral cats and more than 80 kittens. She said that while the city was faced with fuel and food shortages, animals were also affected. “Pinetown was…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE People's Market supplies fruit, vegetables and other general items to the community of Umzinto but last Monday it was one of the businesses looted and damaged. Atish Ramautar, owner of the People’s Market, said the damage and the loss of stock amounted to around R400 000. “They took everything; all our goods, cash, cash registers and even our chairs. I am busy with a clean-up and I am hoping we can rebuild. I am renting the premises. My business employs 15 people from the community but now I can only afford to keep five staff. It was a difficult decision but under the circumstances, I had no other choice.” Ramautar said the business was started by his father, Ashwin Ramautar, more than 25 years ago. “My…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za NAGINA Amarchand was just a month away from expanding her business at Springfield Park when it was broken into and looted. Amarchand, 57, opened the Frame Edge at the Springfield Retail Centre 22 years ago. Last week, protesters targeted businesses in Springfield Park. Shops at the Value Centre and Retail Centre were also affected. Amarchand said when she heard there were looters on the premises on Tuesday, she did not worry too much. She believed her shop would be safe. “My shop has frames and mirrors and little things compared to the other wholesale and clothing stores around that have more to offer to people. So when security told us protesters arrived, I did not stress too much.” However, later that day, she was told that even…

Ami Nanakchand AT A time when the beleaguered governance of the country is coming to terms with the civil disobedience; road barricades; looting and arson of state infrastructure, shopping malls, industries, commercial businesses and private homes, it was politically rewarding or expedient for some politicians not to recognise that civil society and our democratic government were gripped by a pre-existing racial, ethnic and communal polarisation. One of the historically-minded politicians referred to the 1949 Indo-African riots to gauge the atmospherics of that time. What was the spark that triggered the unrest? On Wednesday, July 7, former president Jacob Zuma was jailed for his offence of contempt for the Constitutional Court. Zuma has applied for the verdict to be rescinded. By the weekend, the jury was still out on the…

Shavani Bissoon AT THE start of the violent unrest and looting, we were left overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety and fear. We had to face the reality of having to fight for our families, property and, even worse, the possibility of not seeing the next day. Though some find they are gripped by overwhelming fear and anxiety, after the first incidents it is encouraging and heartfelt to see so many individuals and communities coming together to support and help one another despite fear, racial and social divides. Against this backdrop, we are able to see the basic functioning and nature of fear and anxiety first hand. In those moments of watching the visuals or hearing reports of unrest flaring, you may have felt uneasy, tense and afraid. You may…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za THE family of a Verulam man who was allegedly knocked and killed during the recent unrest, are looking for answers. Desagan Raman, 34, of Todd Street, was assisting the community in Dawncrest, when he was allegedly knocked in an apparent hit-and-run last Tuesday. The father of one died at the scene. Kaveshni Raman Surubgit, his sister, said the family had not heard from him that afternoon and called his phone, which was answered by a police officer. “Our dad stayed with him, and our mom stayed with me. However, on that day, my dad was with me and we had not heard from my brother. When my mom called, a police officer answered. When she asked about my brother, she was told to come to the police…

NIKITA CHINIAH nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za TWO tyre shops in Gopalall Hurbans Road in Tongaat were broken into and looted last week. Ahmed Ismail, the owner of Best Drive Ossie’s Tyres, said he stood on his balcony last Monday and watched as the looters broke into his premises. “I live in a block of flats above my business. Just after midday about 300 people broke into the shop and stole about 400 tyres, computers, card machines, furniture and a freezer. “They carried whatever they could and fled. “I felt helpless and angry at the same time. I could not do anything.” He said a tuckshop next to his shop was also looted and set alight. His family and other tenants had to evacuate their homes. Some members of the community fired gunshots into…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za THE owners of some businesses in Isipingo are uncertain if they will reopen, but others are determined to get back on their feet. Sasthira Beebaasoo, the owner of Sonshe Fireworks, in Bally Road, Isipingo Rail, said the business was started by her parents 27 years ago. On Monday, looters removed two gates, entered the premises and stole fireworks, cash registers and sound equipment. “They took everything. It did not even make sense that they stole fireworks,” said Beebaasoo. “We felt disgusted by their actions and upset to see everything we worked so hard for over the years been taken. They even burst fireworks as they were leaving and there was nothing we could do to stop them because they arrived in numbers. “We called the police for…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za TASHLEEN Moodley wants justice. She is the mother of Faybian Moodley, a 17-year-old, from Trenance Park in Verulam, who lost his life in the recent violence that plagued KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country. With police unable to control the looting and violence, communities came together to protect themselves. Faybian was one of them. Vinodh Singh, chairperson of the community police forum (CPF) sector 3 in Verulam, said the area was volatile, as looters had tried to enter Trenance Park. “There were about three or four men who were trying to sneak through the sports ground to get into the area. We were not sure where they were going, but the situation was tense due to the looting and violence that was happening throughout KZN. “When…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za THEMBIE Mhlongo, a hairdresser and the owner of Thembie’s Hair and Beauty Salon in eNseleni near Richards Bay, said it would take a miracle to revive her business. The 33-year-old single mother of two opened the salon near the Nseleni shopping centre in 2018. Mhlongo said she was shocked after her customers told her that her business had been broken into last week. “I heard about the shutdown and I told my staff not to report for duty for their safety. Then I was told people were breaking into shops to steal food. I thought they were targeting big businesses only. I was heartbroken when I got a call that people broke into my salon. I couldn’t believe it.” Mhlongo said she went to the business a…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za LANCE Ross, the owner of Swinton Road Butchery, is unsure what the future holds. "The butchery has been operating for more than 32 years and I bought it in 2018," said Ross. The father of four, who lives in Chatsworth, said his security company called on Sunday to inform him that people were trying to break into his business. "I rushed to the store but when I arrived, they were already inside and stealing. “At first, I was overcome with anger but that turned into despair. They ripped out everything I worked so hard for. There was nothing I could have done. I watched helplessly as my dreams shattered in front of me. "They stole equipment, fridges and furniture valued at about R250 000 and stock of…

NIKITA CHINIAH nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za “THEY wiped out my shop,” said Ali Raza, the owner of ARB Salon in Loopwest Crescent, Newlands West. “They stole hair and beauty products, basins, hairdryers, straighteners, towels, and many other items and equipment. They basically wiped my shop out. “I have had this salon for 10 years. When I saw the condition of it after the looting last Monday, I felt angry. The place looked disastrous. Everything was upside down. They even broke into the safe and stole cash. Anything that was not valuable to them was thrown everywhere. The damages are about R150 000.” A superette and Alli’s Meat Xpress were also looted in Newlands West Centre, and Nu-West Pharmacy was looted and burnt. Shiona Rabikrisson, a resident from Newlands West, is now unemployed.…

We have lived through an insurrection and, irrespective how bad things are, it could have been a lot worse had our democratically elected government been toppled. The violence we saw was not a spontaneous uprising against the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. Instead, we are told there was a group of people who planned the violence and looting that we saw. Part of their agenda was to sow divisions between Indians and Africans in KwaZulu-Natal. It was part of their wider plan to destabilise our province and our country. Now that we know we are being used, we should not do anything that would further fuel tensions between Indians and Africans or between any two communities for that matter. To do so would only serve the interests of those…

edwin Naidu AFTER seven days of deadly looting in South Africa, which claimed about 212 lives, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally reassured citizens on Friday that the government would act to quell the violence. But was it a case of too little too late for our president, who is far too youthful to be moving at a snail’s pace or a Madiba-like shuffle? In a country gripped by fear and looting, there was much loathing, too. The looting was deplorable and has harmed the economy. It will result in the shutting down of businesses and leave people without jobs. It will not inspire investor confidence in South Africa. The loathing, however, a consequence of so-called racial tension that harks from the 1949 riots, cannot be used as an excuse for what…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A PHOENIX grandmother believes she is lucky to be alive after she was struck by a bullet while at home last Monday. Chandramati Bhagwati, 66, of Westham, was cooking when a bullet shattered the kitchen window and grazed her forehead before lodging in the wall. The incident happened during unrest in KwaZulu-Natal. “I was at home with my daughter-in-law and grandchild. My son, Anesh, was outside at the time. I went into the kitchen to check on the rice on the stove. As I was turning to go back to the lounge, I heard a loud sound. I felt a sudden and terrible pain in my face. “When I touched the area, blood ran down my face. I shouted for my grandchild to call my daughter-in-law.…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za FAHIM Jamadar has suffered a triple blow during the violence. His three businesses and his home were looted. Jamadar’s businesses, Potent Ice Perfumes in uMlazi Mega City, and Jamadar’s Builders Suppliers and Jamadar’s Warehouse, in Isipingo, as well as his home were looted. He said he took his family to a hotel for safety, after he heard the looters could break into homes. The radio jock said furniture, equipment, stock and five trucks were stolen. “The losses amount to millions,” said Jamadar. He said he was watching the looting on the TV news on Sunday, July 11, when an employee at Potent Ice Perfumes called him. “She said the staff heard looters were making their way to the mall. We thought they were mostly targeting the bigger…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za COMMUNITIES surrounding Montford, in Chatsworth, were panic-stricken last week Tuesday – after a voice note saying that the area was under attack was circulated. On the voice note, a woman alleged the community was targeted by protesters and that homes were being petrol-bombed. “Please help us. Send someone,” she said. Claudine Naidoo, a resident in Montford, said: “I feared for our safety because the voice note said people were being attacked. I gathered all my documents and told my parents to do the same. “When I looked outside, I could see smoke in the distance and I really believed a house was on fire. “My brother called and said he would escort my parents and I out of the area but, thankfully, as I went outside, my…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za ROWEN Pillay, the owner of a prayer and spice shop in Stanger, thought his business was finally doing well. But during the unrest, his shop was looted three times in one day. Pillay, 29, opened Aum Shakti Prayer Goods and Spices Stanger at Ushaka Mall Stanger last February. “It was my dream to own a prayer goods business as I am staunch in my religion. Last year, just before the lockdown, I opened the shop at the mall. But a few weeks later, the country went under a hard lockdown. Since reopening in June, I have been pushing hard to recover financially." He said business picked up in December but last week's unrest set him back again. “Because business was slow at the start, I did not…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za JOHANNESBURG youngster Kajol Naidoo was recently crowned the winner of the South African Junior Chess Championships. The Grade 4 Radford House pupil faced off against 24 girls from the U-10 division before that was reduced to 16 following the knockout stages. She went on to prevail in the championship that was held online because of the pandemic. “The competition was tough and I’m ecstatic to have won. It being online was different as you don’t get to touch pieces or interact with your opponents and there was no socialising,” said the former African Continental Girls U8 Champion. The 10-year-old Naidoo won a challenging final against Minentle Miya from Khotsong in the North West Province. “The final was Armageddon as we drew the previous games 1-1. This meant we…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za SOUTH African soccer coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed his status as the greatest coach to emerge from South Africa and one of the greatest to emerge from Africa as his Al Ahly side earned a convincing 3-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the CAF Champions League final last weekend. The Egyptian giants dominated the game for the most part with their goal not even threatened once. It was Mosimane’s third Champions League success and his second on the trot. His next stop from here should be to coach outside Africa, ideally in Europe. He has already won everything that there is to win in South African football and so should not return home. Shamsi stars in Proteas T20I series win over Ireland Tabraiz Shamsi’s 4-27 helped the Proteas…