Tongues have been wagging since a councillor’s letter asking Shakaskraal businesses to pay R400 towards more patrollers to help protect them against a possible national shutdown on Monday, made the rounds on social media.

Written by KwaDukuza ward 28 councillor Doeshiee Govender, some residents and KwaDukuza Democratic Alliance chief whip, Privi Makhan, said they had misgivings about the letter, calling it extortion and “mafiarism”.

Govender said the money would be used to pay for extra street patrollers, buy them reflectors, and feed them.

“Three weeks ago, I was contacted by members of the business forum seeking a way forward in assisting with the proposed shutdown and expected looting.

“I spoke to the central business district’s street patrollers to assist and the plan is to employ a further 60 patrollers who can do duty on Monday if there are any problems,” said Govender.

He said lunch and a reflector jacket would cost about R100 each, and the balance of R300 will be paid as a stipend as the shift will be from 4am until 7pm.

“I’ve drawn up the letter and sent it to each store. In response, 47 stores agreed and were happy with the suggestion. All this was done in good faith to safeguard businesses if a problem developed.

“I want to emphasise that no Shakaskraal residents were asked to pay a cent towards this, only the businesses,” said Govender.

Makhan said the DA has written to the KwaDukuza speaker’s office requesting intervention “and for this matter to be dealt with”.

“The rule of law must be upheld. Extortion and strong-arming community members in the name of safety and security must be condemned in the strongest terms.

“The Democratic Alliance in KwaDukuza will use all mechanisms at our disposal to ensure that those entrusted to protect the interests of their constituents, do so within the parameters of the relevant code of conduct,” said Makhan.

But one of the businessmen in Shakaskraal, Clive Ramiah – owner for Shoprite and KFC – confirmed that as businesses in Shakaskraal they agreed to pay the R400.

“We are not taking any risks because we cannot afford another knock like the looting in 2021. We lost millions and jobs were at risk. Insurance did not cover all the damage, so we had to go to the bank and are still paying back that money. Taking a risk, however small, is not an option,” said Ramiah.

Another businessman, owner of Ushaka Squire, Feisal Dawood, said Shakaskraal suffered more than R50-million in damages during the 2021 looting spree.

“We had absolutely no protection from the police or Metro officials for the entire day.”

Dawood said In the last 12 months petty crime have been getting out of hand.

“Govender began an initiative whereby 12 people were employed and paid for by the businesses to monitor the CBD seven days a week. Since then, the crime levels have dropped by more than 90%,” said Dawood.

He added that past experience proved they could not rely on the state to protect them, and they had to take proactive measures themselves.

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