• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Politics

Cabinet must be held accountable for the July unrest: Civil society groups

8 February 2022, 6:15 PM  |
Nonjabula Mntungwa Nonjabula Mntungwa |  @SABCNews
A looter daring the police outside the Chris Hani Shopping Complex in Vosloorus.

A looter daring the police outside the Chris Hani Shopping Complex in Vosloorus.

Image: Sipho Kekana

A looter daring the police outside the Chris Hani Shopping Complex in Vosloorus.

The cabinet must be held accountable for the unrest in July last year, that claimed the lives of more than 350 people in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. This is according to civil society groups.

The call comes after the release of an expert panel’s report into the unrest.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the panel last year, to investigate the unrest.

The panel found that the security services failed to anticipate and prevent the orchestrated violence.

Attempts to rebuild trust and unity after last July’s civil unrest that led to racial tensions in Phoenix , north of Durban and surrounding townships, are still ongoing.

At least 36 people were killed in the area in what is believed to be racially-motivated attacks as looting and destruction to businesses engulfed parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

According to a report of an expert panel that investigated the unrest, cabinet must take overall responsibility for the events. Likewise, civil society groups leading community engagements in Phoenix, KwaMashu, Bhambayi and Inanda want those implicated in the report to be held accountable.

Convenor of the Phoenix Ubuntu Forum, Sham Maharaj says, “Both the Minister of Police led by Bheki Cele and the Minister of intelligence services must be called to account for the failure and the mud-slinging that happened publicly. It is a shame that people in government cannot sit together and resolve these matters. The president must call both of them to account. But, we are also very heartened that the recommendations suggests that the security services must be overhauled. Heads must roll and those people, who have been identified by this panel must be called to account.”

Phoenix Ubuntu forum calls for swift action on panel’s recommendations:

The report says poor socio-economic circumstances and differences within the governing party contributed to the unrest, which erupted after former president, Jacob Zuma, was imprisoned for contempt of the Constitutional Court.

The civil society groups say dialogues between African and Indian communities must continue as they are bearing fruit. Reverend Vusi Zondi of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in KwaMashu explains…

“It’s a process not an event. If you remember very well after the incident and the unrest it was very difficult for the school learners to come to this area. But the churches, civil groups and community leaders work together and it started slowly that they are accepted in this area but the pastors feel that it should not stop there, it should carry on,” says Zondi.

Meanwhile, Craig Bouchier, a regional representative of Heartline a centre for values promotion says it will greatly help reconciliation efforts if the families of alleged perpetrators reach out to communities where victims lived. Bouchier says there is a feeling that the outreach is mainly coming from organisations.

“If you are part of these communities it is relevant for everyone. There is no one who can say it is not relevant for them. I think with those who might have been perpetrators their journey might be a longer journey. They have to take that first step that is many steps to get to the place of true reconciliation,” says Bouchier.

On Thursday, President Ramaphosa is expected to outline actions that the government will take in response to the findings and recommendations of the expert report into the July unrest.

SABC Digital News takes a look at how the riots unfolded:

 

Share article
Tags: July unrest
Previous Post

Judge in Tshegofatso Pule murder trial disappointed at State’s request for another postponement

Next Post

Transnet investigating a fire that broke out on one of its Blue Train coaches

Related Posts

Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

A look into week four of Mkhwebane’s Section 194 inquiry into fitness to hold office

7 August 2022, 2:59 PM
[File Image] SACP member holds a flag at a rally

SACP celebrates its 101 anniversary in Mpumalanga

7 August 2022, 2:44 PM
Image : Mlondi Radebe
Former KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala adressing the media

Opposition parties react to Sihle Zikalala’s resignation

6 August 2022, 7:56 PM
Image: Reuters

An ANC party flag seen in this picture.

No hope for women’s power in KZN ANC, Analyst

6 August 2022, 5:38 PM
Cyril Ramaphosa

Analyst Ongama Mtimka backs Mapisa-Nqakula’s decision on the Ramaphosa issue

6 August 2022, 7:06 AM
A logo of the South African Revenue Service inside a building.

I took early retirement to access my pension but asked to be rehired: Former SARS executive Pillay

5 August 2022, 8:52 PM
Next Post
[File photo] Blue Train.

Transnet investigating a fire that broke out on one of its Blue Train coaches

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Transnet seizes assets worth more than R20 million from employees
  • Godrich Gardee accuses Eswatini King of orchestrating his daughter’s murder
  • SA government responds to damning statement made by Eswatini spokesperson
  • Mabuyane confirms receipt of eNyobeni Tavern victims’ results
  • Major crash involving several vehicles on N3 to KZN
  • Ramaphosa given 48 hours to step aside
  • Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo directed to terminate appointment of more than 400 workers
  • Actress Busisiwe Lurayi has passed away
  • Miss SA Lalela Mswane crowned Miss Supranational 2022
  • EFF’s planned national shutdown won’t be an ordinary one: Malema

LATEST

Gold medallists Australia celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony.
  • Sport

Australia beat India for T20 cricket gold but big winner was the sport


File Photo : Actors Brian Tyree Henry,Joe king, Brad Pitt and Aaron Taylor Johnson arrive at the UK premiere of "Bullet Train in London, Britain July 20,2022. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
  • Lifestyle

Box Office: ‘Bullet Train’ Arrives With So-So 30.1 Million (US-Dollar) Debut, ‘Easter Sunday’ Stumbles


Image: SABC News

The logo of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
  • South Africa

EC COGTA plans to change the MAYCO government system in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality


Erling Halaand celebrating with team-mates after scoring a goal
  • Sport

Deadly Haaland strikes twice to give Man City win at West Ham


Daryl Impey

Image: Reuters
  • Sport

Daryl Impey bags a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games


  • Sport

Suprsport United held to a one-all draw by Chippa United


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Court Judge in Tshegofatso Pule murder trial disappointed at State’s request for another postponement
Next Transnet investigating a fire that broke out on one of its Blue Train coaches