The Human Rights Centre in Port Shepstone welcomes the South African Human Rights Commission report on the 2021 unrest.
Having worked in impoverished communities over many years and also during the unrest of 2021, I believe the main report makes some important findings, in particular about the historical economic differences, race relations, and spatial planning and service delivery issues.
More importantly it directs us towards nation building.
We have much work to do towards building a truly non-racial society.
I do, however, feel that the Commission for Religious and Linguistic Rights (CRL) report lacked an in-depth study into the situation. The perception that all the Indians in Phoenix are wealthy is wrong, and needs to be corrected.
A simple detailed analysis of the livelihoods and income levels of residents there will show conditions of poverty and suffering equal to and sometimes worse than their black neighbours living in the surrounding areas.
It’s unfortunate that the CRL report perpetuates the narrative that ‘Indians were responsible for the violence’. Had the CLR conducted a thorough investigation it would have noted that many of the community defence structures and roadblocks were inclusive of black, coloured and Indian residents who participated. There were also persons of Indian origin, that were killed and or injured. However, to blanket blame all Indians in Phoenix, was to many observers as if the Indian community was made the scapegoat for the failure of government to respond appropriately to the crisis that unfolded.
Had the CRL conducted an in-depth study, they would have noted the actual violence and looting began when trucks were being looted and burnt along the N3 freeway, far away from Phoenix. The videos and the subsequent voice note threats against communities and businesses across KZN by what the commission calls the ‘instigators’ are the real cause of the violence and it is tragic and sad that so many lives were lost during that time.
In the immediate aftermath, the community of Phoenix together with religious and KZN government made efforts towards promoting social cohesion.
SELVAN CHETTY
Human Rights Centre
Port Shepstone
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