I’ve never felt further away from home than I have the last two days, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson. The fear that comes with heartbroken phone calls and loved ones heading out ‘on patrol’ trying to defend their homes in the absence of police or army presence is nauseating.
I, along with my friends, family and Durban community feel helpless.
I think a false sense of hope was attached to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Monday night which spoke to the riots that have been plaguing Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng (predominantly) this week.
As it turns out, a speech wasn’t the helping hand the country needed as violence, destruction, and death continue to escalate.
My family, who reside in the Upper Highway Area, have yet to see one sign of army presence.
Read also: Ramaphosa faces criticism after response to unrest in SA
Focusing on my hometown, Durban, it’s devastating to report that the violent riots have not stopped nor slowed down. Distribution centres such as Game have been hit hard, video footage of containers being robbed are circulating, and the looming threat over innocent lives continue to grow.
Correction: Apparently, this is the Springfield Makro storage area – they keep shipping containers on-site. The video angle is too narrow + there are too few containers in there to reasonably think it's the port. #ShutdownSA https://t.co/3iqsQVnukO
— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) July 13, 2021
Scenes of absolute chaos and mass criminality from the Game Distribution Centre in Durban this morning. #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/ETSz4ATCEv
— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) July 13, 2021
My heart fell into my stomach when I came across a video of a small child being tossed off a roof to safety as the City Life building in Durban bellowed smoke.
Small child has nearly died in the burning City Life building in Durban. #Newzroom405 #JubJub #Indian #looting #Durban @eNCA @SABCNews #EasternCapeSaysNoToLooting pic.twitter.com/hXmo2E6ndy
— @Skhu Mchart (@SkhuMdunge97) July 13, 2021
One thing our President did get right last night, July 12, is that food and medical supply insecurity is going to be disastrous – if it isn’t already. Citizens who brave leaving the partial safety of their homes to reach grocery stores that have not been destroyed by looters are met with hoards of queuing people and empty shelves as members of the public resort to panic-buying.
Meanwhile, community members are trying to remain positive and share resources amongst each other. The main items being necessities such as baby formula, nappies, and canned foods. A group, which I will refrain from naming for safety reasons, has called on bakers, cooks, farmers and growers of home produce to meet at a location secured by local private security.
The owner of a Durban-based Spar, who I will also refrain from naming, shared a heartwarming thanks to his community on social media.
“For the first time today, in my 21 years in the [x] Spar retail family did I stand with tears in my eyes, not because of the looting not because of the losses everyone is incurring. I stood there watching you, the community, my extended family, standing shoulder to shoulder protecting the area! I managed to thank some of you, most I probably missed, and I thank each and everyone who has been involved!
It’s these simple acts in times of turmoil that offer a glimmer of hope in what has become a very bleak moment in South African history.
To my Durban family, continue to take care…
#RobynintheHood
Insta: @Robyn.inthe.Hood
Twitter: @Robynhoodcpt
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