People power: Here’s how commu

Communities coming together in KZN. Image via screenshot.

People power: Here’s how communities are rallying to restore SA [watch]

Several communities in KwaZulu-Natal have taken to the streets in solidarity to patrol and protect one another. We round up their tireless efforts.

People power: Here’s how commu

Communities coming together in KZN. Image via screenshot.

In light of the riots and looting that has been taking place across the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, communities have been coming together to protect one another and help restore hope in the wake of looters’ path of destruction. 

HOW SA WENT FROM RIOTS TO LOOTING 

The unrest started of as riots for #FreeJacobZuma after the former president was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court. However, the riots quickly turned into looting as people complained that the lockdown had left them with no other options and they needed to feed their families.

The looting may have started with food but quickly turned into opportunism as protesters began to steal televisions and other big goods. Television presenter Jub Jub commented on this looting saying “let them steal, if they have to steal” and further explained that the people who have stolen bigger items will sell them to provide for their families. 

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COMMUNITIES STAND TOGETHER

After several retailers, malls and businesses were looted across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the protests still continue and protesters are now attacking residential areas. 

However, members of the communities across the provinces have come together to protect each other by patrolling their areas day and night, to ensure that their community is protected. 

This has taken place in many areas across KwaZulu-Natal such as Chatsworth, Malvern, Waterfall, Durban North, Morningside, Phoenix and more, where men and boys have taken to the streets to stand in solidarity. Community group chats have also been created to look out for another. 

“Community members are protecting our own properties as best we can as businesses are being looted and burnt. Our cops and private security companies have their hands full. I have no idea when the army will reach us – but tonight will be a long one in Durban, South Africa,” wrote @SydenhamStekkie on Twitter. 

“The army being deployed is very dangerous but don’t say that people are sitting comfortably in their homes when our loved ones in Durban and Pmb are out on the streets right now and throughout the night as a community trying to help the police,” wrote @waj07 on Twitter. 

Community members have also come together to stop the looting in their areas. In the area of Amanzimtoti, people have come together to safeguard their local mall, Galleria. 

Apart from protecting citizens, community members have also come together to clean up their areas following the destruction caused by the chaos of looters. 

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