EFF padlocks Clicks stores
Mabilo told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that they, as African women, feel that they were not being taken seriously by the health and beauty retailer.
LYDENBURG – After a call by EFF leader, Julius Malema, for the closure of all Clicks stores, both the Lydenburg and Burgersfort branches were padlocked on Monday.
Clicks sparked fury among South Africans over an advert by TRESemmé, a Unilever Plc brand, depicting an image of African black hair categorised as “dry and damaged”, while an example of white hair was referred to as “fine and flat”.
Despite an apology by both Clicks and TRESemmé for their advert, the EFF continued with the shutdown of stores.
In Lydenburg, EFF councillor, Verina Dimakatso Mabilo, and party supporters closed down the Clicks branch just before 11:00 on Monday morning. The closure was not accompanied by any incitement of violence and potential harm to staff.
Mabilo told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that they, as African women, feel that they were not being taken seriously by the health and beauty retailer.
“It is uncalled for and depicts racism. This is especially bad for young African girls and I would urge them not to support the retailer.”
Mabilo and five other supporters bolted the entrance to the store with a chain and lock. In Burgersfort, both outlets were closed on Monday and Tuesday.
EFF members in Tubatse Fetakgomo also vowed to ensure the two local stores remain closed for the rest of the week.
EFF members camped outside the shop in Twin City Complex as well as the branch at Tubatse Crossing Mall. Affiliates of the party were heard chanting: “We won’t allow racism in our lifetime! This store has to be banned,” at the entrances of the Clicks stores at the mall. EFF Limpopo’s provincial chairperson, Jossey Buthane, said his party had committed to ensuring that the nationwide protest would be peaceful.”We heard that one store was petrol bombed in the province. We do not condone the petrol bombing incident, however, we were thankful it was done.”
In a call from Clicks to deter the party from shutting down company stores, the EFF stated: “Your racist lawyers of Pravin Jamnandas Gordhan and your racist client, Clicks, can go to the nearest hell. Black dignity or death, we shall overcome”.
On Tuesday, the Gauteng High Court granted an interim interdict against the EFF.
The exclusion order instructs the party to stop intimidating Clicks employees and customers, and to stop inciting violence against Clicks operators.
