Johannesburg – The ongoing looting in KwaZulu-Natal has pitted racial groupings against each other with some affluent suburbs turned into alleged no-go areas for black Africans who are accused of being the masterminds behind the chaos.
About 15 people have reportedly been killed in Durban and surrounding areas following the emergence of vigilante groupings armed to the teeth and have organized themselves along racial lines.
“Black folks who have not participated in any looting are under siege. The white guys and Indian businesspeople are blocking anyone from accessing shops in their areas. Black people have been killed. We can’t go on like this,” explained Zanele Ndlovu, a resident of Redhill in Durban.
Myron Naidoo of the #Defend Phoenix from looters said they had to defend their neighborhood against being plundered.
Also read: Cele confident of restoration of law and order in Gauteng, KZN
“The limited shops we have are for our community and this has nothing to do with race. We must defend ourselves otherwise we will run short of critical food supplies. This has nothing to do with race,” said Naidoo.
The escalating situation has led to AmaZulu king in waiting, MisuZulu kaZwelithini, to intervene and calling for peace, saying more people will become victims if the hostile relations between Whites, Indians, and Blacks were not addressed.
Other white suburbs in Durban, according to reports, have also blocked black people from accessing their areas.
There have also been circulating social media messages encouraging the alienation of black communities from white and Indian businesses.
Contrary to the reports seen on social media, however, former DA leader in KZN, Zwakele Mncwango, posted the following video which has went viral on social media, stating that the reports of blacks being attacked in Phoenix, was simply, not true.
Watch the video below:
Users on Twitter have shared their thoughts on the situation. Take a look at what some of them had to say below:
Heartbreaking that the Zulu King didn’t address the fact that innocent black people are being killed in KZN for being black. His own people. It really be us against everybody including ourselves 💔#PhoenixMassacre
— MaHlathi 👑 (@AmandaBlackSA) July 15, 2021
This was two days ago it happened live on tv 💔 #PhoenixMassacre pic.twitter.com/E2jKCdLF51
— MtakaBusi (@nomthie_h) July 15, 2021
Indians have never liked black people. If you stay in KZN you'll know this. This killing spree has been something they've always wanted to do. The looting just gave them a giant thumb to hide behind. #PhoenixMassacre
— Ma®adebe🤍 (@Punchu_Pie) July 15, 2021
This is How racial tension come.. Dear Indians and White's in Durban refrain from that.. pic.twitter.com/QfFrjSwfVU
— Daniel Marven (@danielmarven) July 15, 2021
Can we all agree that whatever is happening in Durban its coz of the government failing to lead and allowing citizens to take laws in their own hands.. #PhoenixMassacre pic.twitter.com/glrYJRGsNC
— Decepticon MJ 🌍 (@KekanMj) July 15, 2021
I just realized that Rainbow nation is just a myth, we are truly a devided nation and its sad 😢💔#PhoenixMassacre
— Hermaine M (@HermaineM) July 15, 2021
Phoenix 💔
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 15, 2021
Also read:
Listen: AmaZulu king commands hostile relations between Zulus and Indians to end
Music icon Tsepo Tshola has passed away from a Covid-19 related illness
Fashion designer seeking donations for cancer treatment
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
Sunday World
