Looters and lubricants Covid crisis don’t mix looms from looting PAGE 7 PAGE 3 looting HowHow childrenchildren werewere affectedaffected byby thethe unrestunrest PAGEPAGE 66 Saturday, July 17, 2021 R9,70 (INC VAT). SUBSCRIBE: 087 353 1335 TRUCKSTRUCKS TRUNDLETRUNDLE ININ ) Relief for residents as vital supplies make their way in PAGE 6 2 OPINION Weekend Witness July 17, 2021 AS THE UNREST CONTINUES Edendale Mall businessperson Sabelo Vilakazi speaking on the destruction of the mall: — “We tried to disperse the crowd, but they were so angry. In seconds, they threw something like a bomb and shot three times; that is when we ran back to the mall. They had guns, it was live ammunition and security advised that we fall back.” Msunduzi community services general manager Mbongeni Mathe in an emergency Exco meeting on Thursday: — “The launching pad of these shenanigans that are taking place in other parts of the country and in our city was planned to be our landfill site. But that plan failed.” Joint statement from Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla and MP Yunus Carrim on unconfirmed allegations of the torching of Khan Road: — “While self-defence is understandable, vigilantism is not. We need to avoid conflicts between the haves and have- nots becoming a racial war.” Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla Holding on to hope this week, some of us ventured to the full pantries when the anarchy began. MEANWHILE ... office, dodging debris on the road and Those communities who’ve reached out looters with brim-full shopping trolleys “’There are good to others to say you are welcome here. Stephanie Saville wheeling their stolen cargo away. people out there,’ Don’t believe you’re not. How about That was one of the worst things, those who came together to start clean- knowing we could not print each day. she said. ‘We have ing up the city? Volunteers who restore ur poor, poor city. I’m writing this as fast as I can on Nevertheless, we took the decision to to remember that.’” our faith in humanity. How do we begin to describe Thursday morning. There’s a long list of bring you the news to read online for free Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Oour emotions about the events of tasks I haven’t got to despite my team this week. It was our way of trying to The city we love, already neglected Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Ve- this week? and I burning the midnight and pre- make sure reliable and accurate informa- and ill-managed, is trashed beyond im- ness and I shared some valuable chats Do I start with my disillusionment dawn oil. tion reached you in the midst of an on- agination. There was no civil defence this week, reaching out to each other for again with the inept politicians who al- My column kept getting pushed down slaught of inaccurate fake news being plan that we saw. How could we be so both information and comfort, as it lowed this war on our province to un- the list of priorities of the week as more spread on social media and WhatsApp woefully ill-prepared? Are there any dis- turned out. These words of hers stayed fold? Or those who incited it? pressing stuff came to the fore, over and chat groups. aster plans at all? If they exist, why didn’t with me all week. “There are good people Or with the mindset of the looters over again. We’ve spent way too much of our very they kick into action? out there. We have to remember that.” who showed how adept they were at the Speaking of my team, I’ve never been precious time this week chasing news Businesses are finished. Many will not These are the ones who will see us task to decimate our economy? as proud of them as I am this week. I tips that turned out to be nonsense. We rebuild what they’ve lost. Despite the through this. Or with the lack of crime intelligence thought they excelled themselves cover- were dismayed at how many of those we promises that trucks are on their way A spirit of care and solidarity among which ensured our police were over- ing the news of the Covid-19 pandemic. interrogated were clearly there to fear- with petrol and food, it will be more ex- those who want to see us get past this whelmed, without any support from the They’ve done even better covering this monger and cause divisions. pensive as the costs for the damage are will help us regain our deflated spirits, army at the ready? civil unrest. They’ve given up personal We were disgusted at the extent of the passed onto us. An already unacceptable help us lifts our heads above the parapet Or with my profound anger that help- time, volunteering to work double shifts damage. I’m ashamed of those who unemployment rate will be amplified. and start again. Again. less residents were left fearing the worst and extra days and weekends, with no caused the wanton destruction of busi- It’s that same sense of a lack of control We have to hold onto the hope that at what was unfolding? respite or promises that they can take ness and industry, the drivers of our frag- over our circumstances that we felt in the army will support the hopelessly How about the mealy-mouthed re- the time owed to them any time soon. ile economy which is already battered by the initial Covid-19 lockdown all over short-staffed police so we feel safe again. sponse of President Cyril Ramaphosa in They’ve worked under trying circum- corruption and the ravages of Covid-19. again, isn’t it? I wish I could tell you this was all over. his address to the nation this week, his stances, burying their concerns for their It was all avoidable and so bloody unnec- But, once again, we have to hold onto It’s not. It’s going to be a rocky time for woeful inability to get to the point as own safety (in terms of both physical essary, I thought as horrific image, after hope: the queues of people standing in all of us in days to come. the nation put their trust in him to allay harm and a raging virus), and their very depressing image filled my screen. We an orderly manner, shoulder to shoulder As an elderly man said to me earlier fears and calm them, talk them down real worries about their families and thought we were in crisis with Covid-19. (socially distanced of course), to wait this week, “Have you checked on your from their fear with words that offered food security, to make sure we bring out We thought the Delta variant was a their turn to buy food. neighbour?” Let’s all do that. comfort in the chaos? Vain hopes, hey? an online newspaper each day. problem. We thought things couldn’t Those who have shared the food they Vain hopes. When we had connection problems get worse. Until they did. have at home with those who didn’t have • Stephanie Saville is editor of The Witness. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 20 22 25 41 45 + 5 18 23 29 41 42 + 13 LETTER OF THE WEEK WEEKEND WEATHER COMPLAINTS, WHAT DO PIETERMARITZBURG CORRECTIONS Today AND CLARIFICATIONS YOU THINK? Clear skies. 21 / 4° C The editorial policy of WRITE TO US AT Sun 21 / 3° C The Witness is to correct substantial Proud of you all Sunrise Today: 6.49 am [email protected] Sunset Today: 5.15 pm Mon 24 / 2° C errors as soon as possible. Please contact our public editor/ombudsman, George Claassen, at 021 8513232 DURBAN LADYSMITH or [email protected] This madness over the past Thank you to the people be- and rebuild a broken nation. The Editor reserves if you want to complain 21 / 10° C 18 / -2° C about our content. few days has made something hind us front-liners who We might be down but the right to edit all Sun 21 / 12° C Sun 19 / -1° C very clear to me that previous- brought us coffee, eats, etc., at we’re not out. letters. All letters Mon 22 / 7°C Mon 21 / 1° C OMBUDSMAN ly was a question that I could all hours of the night. And to In all this, goodwill always must contain the not answer with any confi- the guys and girls who kept overpowers evil. writer’s full name, The Witness subscribes to the Code of Ethics dence. the shifts going and spent It was sad to hear people in address and contact CONTACT US and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is It is the way the communi- countless hours making sure power condemn the road- number for record truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we ty, of all races, all religions, has things happened. blocks, etc., and try to turn it purposes or they will Pietermaritzburg: Postal address, PMB: don’t live up to the Code, please contact the come together as brothers To my coloured, Indian, into a racial thing. not be published. 033 355 1111 PO Box 362, PMB, 3200 Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, and sisters in a second to fight black and white It is now time for the in- Well-written topical Direct line to news Website: fax: 011 an evil that plays on the needy brothers — thank you, you ex- competent leaders to stop letters under 220 desk: www.news24.com/Witness 4843619.