CO- OPERATIVE AND POLICY ALTERNATIVE CENTRE COPAC 24 Cardiff Road, Parkwood, T Tel: + 27 11 447 1013 Johannesburg, E-mail:
[email protected] South Africa, Postal Address: PO Box 1736, 2193 Killarney, 2041 TO: Mr. Lechesa Tsenoli Acting Speaker South African Parliament Honourable leaders of political parties: Rev Kenneth Meshoe, leader of ACDP Mr Vuyolwethu Zungula, leader of ATM Mr Mandla Philip Galo, leader of AIC Mr Ganief Hendricks, leader of Al Jama-ah Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, leader of COPE Mr John Steenhuisen, leader of DA Mr Julius Malema, leader of EFF Dr Pieter Groenewald, leader of FF+ Ms Patricia de Lille, leader of Good Mr Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, leader of IFP Mr Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam, NFP parliamentary leader Mr Mzwanele Nyontso, leader of PAC Mr Bantu Holomisa, leader of UDM 18 August 2021 Re: The role of Parliament in addressing the July public violence and nation building Dear Members of Parliament and Leaders, The public violence that ensued since Former President Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment in July brought South Africa to the brink of a race war, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. The state’s failure in the province to provide safety to communities undermined the constitution. Moreover, many died (currently estimated at 337) in the looting and due to racist vigilante violence. Phoenix (estimated at 36 killed, 33 Africans and 3 Indians) and several other communities have been polarised due to such unlawful action. Trauma, suspicion and fear haunt many communities. Moreover, many of these communities have felt excluded due to high unemployment, poverty and inequality. The July violence was a spark in a powder keg of discontent.