Days of unrest in KZN, Gauteng could not have come at a worse time for Covid-hit SA

I STRONGLY condemn the current looting and arson, during the unrest and protest action, in no uncertain terms.

It is particularly shocking that the looters seem to know exactly the time and place of the next mall to be looted, as they arrive in numbers from near and far.

Statements by our leadership, proclaiming the rule of law is supreme and that looters will feel the might of the law, ring shamefully hollow – this when police stand, impotent, watching looters carrying their loot right in front of them, as we witnessed in Nandi Drive, in Durban, on Tuesday.

Yet the chaos in our country continued unabated in its fourth day, as the authorities seem unable or unwilling to wrest control of the situation and impose law and order.

This crisis could not have come at a worse time, as South Africa has reported close to a record high Covid-19 death toll – over 600 on July 13. This is cause for grave concern, as hospitals and health care professionals are working under trying conditions to do their best to save lives.

The rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in KwaZulu-Natal is of grave concern, as the province moves towards the peak of its third wave.

Health care services are experiencing enormous challenges in dealing with the Delta variant-driven third wave. In KwaZulu-Natal, they are under pressure from rising cases and will now have to deal with five additional Covid19 challenges in the province:

• Difficulties experienced by health workers in getting to work, with the disruption of public transport.

• Looming breakdowns in the supply chain for essential medicines, supplies and oxygen.

• Case numbers that will shortly increase even faster, due to the superspreader events created by the mobs of looters, who have ignored Covid-19 prevention measures.

• An increase in the Covid-19 death toll, as medical staff – who were assigned to treat Covid-19 – have had to divert attention to treat patients with injuries sustained during the protests.

• A setback in the vaccination programme, as several sites cannot operate.

The dignity and safety of all South Africans, to live in a free and democratic society, is paramount. The authorities need to urgently stop the looting and create stability. We need to regain confidence that the chaos is being effectively dealt with. And we all need to join hands to rebuild our country for a better future. PROFESSOR SALIM ABDOOL KARIM

| CAPRISA DIRECTOR