Clairwood’s South Coast Road left in ruins

THE pain of loss lingers throughout South Coast Road, a well-known business hub of Clairwood, now an aftermath of a looting frenzy.

The recent week of unrest will not only go down in South Africa’s history, but will also be marked as one that robbed many of their livelihoods, leaving them with nothing but unanswered questions as to how they will recoup. Coordinator of Montclair CPF sector 2 sub-forum, Juan van Dyk, said that it has been a chaotic week that saw the destruction of Clairwood businesses throughout South Coast Road.

“For the residents, especially the elderly who stay in the area, it was quite frightening to witness a violent mob of people breaking into shops and loot whatever was in sight.

“The CPF cordoned off the area by putting up three roadblocks on the main roads which were manned over 24-hours. We conducted a stop-and-search of vehicles and ensured that no vehicles were on the road past the 21:00 curfew. Metro and SAPS were also present and assisted when vehicles were found with looted items. Police detained suspects and proceeded with investigations accordingly.

“We also found that some of the people who looted Clairwood were local staff and customers who knew the ins and outs of the businesses,” he said.

Juan felt the effects of the unrest two-fold as he is also an employee at a café that was completely looted in the area. “We’ve been a business for about 85 years. The café is a landmark in Clairwood and the owner has been there since its inception. For him to lose everything is shattering. We have to start from scratch and that will take time. Many other businesses along South Coast Road were looted, ransacked and set alight. Well-known stores and businesses have completely been destroyed. Sadly most of them are unlikely to recover due to not having insurance or the means to start all over again. Their livelihoods which they have worked so hard for have been taken from them overnight. This has not only crippled us, but will have a ripple effect on increased crime rates,” said a concerned Van Dyk.

Ward 32 PR councillor, Sharmaine Sewshanker, said the entire ordeal of having to remotely deal with fearful residents and the physical destruction of businesses wrenched her heart.

“Police were overwhelmed and under-sourced because these attacks were happening throughout the city at once. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. Not being able to access the area, stand up for the community and physically do something was devastating. Although I couldn’t come into the area, I am thankful to the community, business sector, CPF and law enforcement, who put their lives before everyone else’s during such an adverse time. We’ve lost a lot of our heritage due to the looting. This is a sad reality. I just hope that businesses can recover from this.”

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