WATCH | Pietermaritzburg residents band together against looters

What seemed like a sunny and clear Monday morning, quickly turned into a dark and grey day – with smoke from Brookside Shopping Centre obscuring the city. The mall had been set alight by looters in yet another incident of the civil unrest unfolding in parts of South Africa.

Resident Shorne Bennie recounts the events of the weekend that led to Monday’s destruction. “On Sunday (July 11) at around 18:00, the sounds of gunshots and stun grenades filled the air as troublemakers made their way into the city from the direction of Nkandla.”

Former statesman Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead is 130km away from Pietermaritzburg and it was from here that rioters started infiltrating the city, on the R33.

With residents uncertain if they should go to work as usual, local community messaging groups became the number one source of communication.

“I belong to almost 20 different community groups and all of them were abuzz, providing real-time updates about what was happening in the city and the various suburbs,” Bennie recalls.

“It was from these groups that we learnt taxis would not be operating, and that roads would be closed the next day.”

Many businesses and shops were looted in the night and on Monday morning, it seemed the end was not in sight.

“What has been the most frightening part is that it’s not just businesses and shops that are being looted. A car was stolen outside of a school, and there are accounts of rioters trying to get into people’s homes in the suburbs,” Bennie remarks.

“Police have been very difficult to get hold of throughout the day, which is quite understandable as they are overwhelmed.”

This lack of visible policing was the catalyst that saw community members, business owners and residents unite to protect themselves and their property.

Residents band together

Residents report that throughout the day, roving gangs have been smashing storefronts in the city, grabbing clothing and other valuables, with minimal police presence in certain hotspots.

With the police over-extended, some residents and business owners took security matters into their own hands. A local business owner, *Charlie, took the following video of himself and other community members doing what they could to protect their businesses.

The residents say they have not shot any live rounds, but explain that their backs are against the wall.

“Our community is banding together. Police presence is non-existent; we understand that they have their hands full, but we need to look after our infrastructure and community,” Charlie states.

He and other concerned residents are there to protect their livelihoods and ensure that there is still food and supplies for all residents within their community.

Asked why he took the videos – which have been widely shared on social media – Charlie says he wants to encourage other community members to mobilise and work together.

“I wish to encourage all other residents to come together and protect themselves; if you don’t do it, who will?”

By Monday afternoon, the situation seemed to have calmed down, but there were still fears and rumours about further looting.

“All this looting has got nothing to do with Jacob Zuma; it’s just an opportunity for private gain,” Charlie says.

“We hope that with the SANDF being deployed, we will have at least some protection as we are all alone here.”

ALSO READ: Residents rally to protect suburbs

SANDF deployed to the capital city

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops have been deployed to the Pietermaritzburg city centre to assist police deal with the widespread looting. Armed troops from the local barracks have taken positions near the city hall and further uptown near Peter Kirchhoff Street.

*Name changed. Resident spoke on condition of anonymity.

Just look at what they are doing ….we gonna be going back to nothing 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/voZVSOVP6M

— Mr Chappies (@Travispaliyath1) July 12, 2021