Civil society recommends solutions for looting recovery

CIVIL society organisations have raised concerns over violent incidents of looting that have gripped KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Reverend Frank Chikane, who forms part of Defend our Democracy campaign, says incidents of looting and violence seen this week were well-organised acts of criminality.

Chikane said the slow response by the state in halting the incidents had also shown a failure to act.

He was speaking yesterday during a media briefing by the Defend our Democracy campaign – a group consisting of former politicians, activists and labour unions leaders.

The group has raised concern about the looting

Chikane hinted that these developments were a sign of corrupt individuals who had committed to “fighting back”. He said the state should have been aware of these individuals.

He said those who instigated these actions should be held accountable for the at least 72 people who had died.

Former safety and security minister Sydney Mufumadi shared similar sentiments. He said the gathering of former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters outside Nkandla in the days leading up to his arrest was a build-up to the incidents of violence seen this week.

“It was calculated to allow Zuma to get away with his refusal to subject himself to the rule of law. That was an early warning signal in Nkandla and should have been taken seriously by security forces. They had enough time to manifest police in certain flashpoints. They chose to sit on their hands,” Mufumadi said.

He said even when police officials did respond, they took their time.

Cosatu secretary-general Bheki Ntshalintshali called on the government and businesses to help rebuild the economy, which has been heavily impacted.

He said rebuilding the lost sources of income for those who would now be unemployed was crucial.