Local looting shakes Valley Trust

ANGER and disappointment are a few choice words used by the executive director of The Valley Trust, S’bo Vilakazi, to describe the looting and destruction of local businesses in Qadi and KwaNyuswa.

“The Valley Trust (TVT) was not spared,” said a disheartened Vilakazi. “One of the businesses targeted, the Valley Trading Store, operates as a tenant of TVT and from a building owned by TVT. Over the course of three days, the building was completely looted and partially set alight. This destruction represents a loss of income not just for the operator but for TVT as well.”

He noted that a group of people, travelling in several vehicles and accompanied by a mob on foot, tried to force their way onto the TVT premises. It was through intervention by the ward councillor that the group were disparaged from their earlier goal.

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“The spaza shops provided community members with easy access to basic groceries and other needs such as pre-paid electricity vouchers. The hardware stores provided much-needed building material. The Valley Trading Store also provided gas and paraffin for cooking and lighting as well as the only ATM in our community. None of these items were spared from the looting. Yet, being within walking distance or the more reasonable cost of a local trip by taxi, these businesses saved households the need to take costly public transport to suburban shopping centres,” he said.

His greatest disappointment was seeing mothers and grandmothers participate in the looting, many of whom encouraged their children to do the same.

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“This was outright theft, without conscience or consideration of the impact on the business owners. Mothers, and especially grandmothers, are taken to be the voices of reason and often serve to teach morality. When they commit criminal acts this represents a lamentable loss in the moral fibre of our families and households,” he said.

He highlighted that mere days after the looting, the consequences of destroying the local economy were being felt as many breadwinners were laid off from their jobs or were temporarily unable to work and earn an income.

Vilakazi noted that the NPO’s main project concerns the well being of the youth and noted their target age group had since become victims of the violent acts of adults.

“We will stand up and help because that is our calling and mandate. We also know that there are community members of conscience who did not participate in the looting but who are suffering because of it. We call on community members to act responsibly, stand up for what is right rather than being carried in the foolishness of the moment,” he said.

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