Four years since looting, chaos, and bloodshed
What began as a political protest over former President Jacob Zuma's arrest, exploded into one of the darkest weeks in post-democratic South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal became a battleground. Shops were looted. People died. Communities were torn apart.
By the time the violence ended, over 300 people were dead, the economy lost R50 billion, and the country's fragility was laid bare.
A report by the South African Human Rights Commission found glaring failures in the very institutions meant to protect us.
Philile Ntuli, the SA Human Rights Commissioner said, "The July Unrest created a climate of fear and a climate of tension, prompting many people of all races, to take to the streets in an effort to protect their homes and their neighborhoods, particularly in the absence of visible policing."
From intelligence lapses to a total breakdown in communication, police failed to act on early warnings.
Law enforcement agencies were simply unprepared and there's not been enough accountability.
While some heads have rolled, including top police and intelligence officials, some believe not enough has been done to prevent political unrest from happening again.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
9 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
SAHRC probes Gayton McKenzie's old ‘racist' tweets
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into allegations of racism against sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie after he allegedly used derogatory language to refer to black people decades ago. Last week, McKenzie's old tweets allegedly using the k-word resurfaced on X, sparking outrage and calls for his removal as minister. The commission said it would investigate the matter after receiving complaints from political parties and the outrage caused on social media. 'After assessment of the contents, the commission is of the view that utterances made by minister McKenzie are prima facie violations of the provisions of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act),' the SAHRC said. 'Consequently, the commission has sent an allegation letter to minister McKenzie. Thereafter, the commission will determine the best way forward, which may include instituting proceedings in the relevant Equality Court as per the South African Human Rights Commission Act read with the Equality Act.' It said given his position as a minister, McKenzie's conduct is expected to conform to the ethical standards of a minister and an MP. The SAHRC urged the public to refrain from using hate speech under the notion it is freedom of speech. 'The commission wishes to remind members of the public that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute. Hate speech is prohibited in terms of the Equality Act, and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act. 'The commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the constitution, including human dignity, equality and non-discrimination.' ActionSA has welcomed the SAHRC's investigation. 'We maintain South Africa cannot have a sitting cabinet minister who holds such views, whether past or present, without being held to account,' said ActionSA MP Alan Beesley. 'ActionSA looks forward to the commission communicating the next steps in holding the minister to account. Racism must be confronted with consequences, no matter who the perpetrator is or their status in society.' McKenzie has consistently denied claims of racism, saying he would not apologise 'for something I didn't do'. 'Why am I asking for forgiveness for some of the nonsense things I said about guys and swearing at some guys, not racism. I won't apologise,' he said. 'Why would I apologise for something I didn't do? Even if the president says I must apologise for racism, I will not, because I wasn't racist. Must I be so desperate for a job that I start apologising for stuff? No. I'm another type of guy.'
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
'He still has not come here': Mpofu says Ramaphosa still owes Marikana families an apology
Workers and Socialist Party (WASP) and Socialist Youth Movement (SYM) are demanding justice for the Marikana massacre victims and want the alleged killers prosecuted, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and police commanders. Saturday marked the 13th anniversary of the massacre when 34 mineworkers were killed by police during a strike at Lonmin Mine in Marikana in North West. Mineworkers had downed tools and participated in unprotected wage strikes. A total of 44 people lost their lives during the strike. Police allegedly shot 34 on August 16 2012. WASP and SYM believe the massacre was not a police operation that went wrong, claiming it was a deliberate act of violence to protect the profits of Lonmin (now Sibanye-Stillwater) and the capitalist mining industry. 'In its execution, it was premeditated. The ANC government, under Jacob Zuma, deployed police to crush worker resistance, proving once and for all that the ANC is no longer a movement for liberation but a bloody instrument of mining monopoly capital,' said WASP national executive committee member Mametlwe Sebei. Sebie said WASP and SYM were demanding the nationalisation of the mines under workers' control and a living wage for all workers — a R15,000 minimum wage now and a universal basic income grant of R1,500. He said Cosatu should break away from the ANC, as should all trade unions aligned with other capitalist parties, to unite into a united working class front, and a mass workers' party to fight for socialism. 'Even today, no-one has been held accountable. Cyril Ramaphosa, then a Lonmin director who called for 'concomitant action' against the strikers, is now president — showing the ANC's true allegiance. The Farlam commission was a whitewash and the police and politicians who ordered the killings remain free,' Seabi said.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
SAHRC takes action against Gayton's K-word tweets
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has issued a statement on Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie's old tweets, which included racial slurs like the K-word. The organisation also addressed the Patriotic Alliance leader's xenophobic comments against African foreign nationals. In the statement issued on Friday, 15 August, the SAHRC revealed that it had formally opened an investigation into Gayton McKenzie's old tweets after receiving several complaints from political parties and the public. It found that the minister had violated the Equity Act and had sent a letter of allegations informing of such. The commission pledged to navigate the way forward, which includes instituting proceedings at the Equality Court. It stated: 'The commission wishes to remind members of the public that the right ot freedom of expression is not absolute. Hate speech is prohibited in terms of the Equality Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act. 'Given his position, Minister McKenzie's conduct is expected to confirm ethical standards that is becoming of a minister and member of parliament. Gayton McKenzie's K-word tweets cannot be probed by a parliamentary ethics committee. Images via X 'The commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.' Meanwhile, Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo stated that an ethics committee could not probe Gayton McKenzie's old tweets from 2013 – 2017 as he was not an MP at the time. He said: 'In terms of Item 4(2)(a) of the code, read with Item 4(3)(f), conduct committed before a person becomes an MP does not fall within the scope of the code. 'Accordingly, no complaint has been opened by the registrar, and both parties were informed of this in writing earlier today. There is, therefore, no competent complaint before the ethics committee.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
