|
Post by tod2 on Jul 12, 2021 7:49:44 GMT
I could say buckets on the latest outbreak of violance in South Africa and in particular the areas and towns in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, but you will see it much clearer on the world news casts. We awoke to absolute chaos as looting of shopping malls started at sunrise - an ashamedly assisted by the police. Then large plumes of smoke could be seen from my house as the rioters torched the two shopping malls situated near the freeway. We are staying at home as more violence is expected. It is no longer protests re the jailing of crook ex president Jacob Zuma - it is about wrecking the South African economy. The current president has been slow to protect anything and I am told the army has been called in but its too little too late I'm afraid. I can only hope that the interest in looting does not take hold anywhere near our business but my gardener who came on foot reports that a clothing store in the city has been looted. I'm worried yes. Afraid, a little.
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Jul 12, 2021 7:55:32 GMT
Good lord, Tod. I hope you and your family will be alright. I haven't seen anything on the news yet but perhaps it's too fresh.
Editing to say I just looked on the BBC website and it was in yesterday's news. Starting with pro-Zuma protests and developing into general rioting and looting.
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jul 12, 2021 8:34:34 GMT
Gosh tod that must be terrifying. I really wonder where SA is heading.Mandela must be turning in his grave.
Stay safe.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 12, 2021 9:56:38 GMT
Thanks for your concern. What we hearing on our local area crime prevention organisation is that they have rounded up dozens of community members and are surrounding our nearby supermarket and shops. This is very heroic but becomes a black on white fight as the majority living in this area are white families. I'm hoping the few Indian and African house owners will join in the stand as that puts a different spin on a volatile situation should it arise. We are simply going about our chores at home. My gardener is helping Mr.Tod prune the roses and fertilise them. It's a pleasant sunny day. That's also a problem as it makes rioting and looting easier. We need a thunder storm urgently.
|
|
|
Post by whatagain on Jul 12, 2021 10:20:32 GMT
Gosh. What an horrible situation. My thoughts are with you, but i fear you are basically on your own and at the mercy of developments...
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jul 12, 2021 11:34:58 GMT
The South African news channel has ongoing updates of the totally worrisome situation: Police recall cops on leave, SANDF deployed to quell violence in KZN, Gauteng
Regarding tod2's city, here is what it says: Pietermaritzburg
- Brookside Mall was razed by fire and looting continues.
- Looting has also been reported in the central business district.
- Edendale Mall has been extensively looted.
- Fires have broken out at the Polly Shorts Centre in Mkondeni.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 12, 2021 12:50:43 GMT
After hearing the SANDF had been deployed in our city and a State of Emergency declared by our President, I reckoned it would only be a matter of time before there would be a curfew. There is one at the moment from9pm to 4am but I was thinking more like a complete curfew with no-one on the streets at any time. So we decided our gardener must reach home as soon as possible before this curfew may come into play. He runs the 15 km home everyday so would just be a normal run except for the fact you might be crossing the law today sometime. I think all will be back to normal tomorrow with soldiers around but I am expecting a lot of staff to be absent due to taxi connections or lack there-of. I must say I feel very much relieved that the army is in town. Even if it is a ragtag bunch at best. Their presence is all that matters. Tomorrow hundreds will wake up with no job as their place of employment no longer exists. Hundreds will wake up with a new sofa couch, washing machine and groceries worth thousands......shame on them.
|
|
|
Post by mossie on Jul 12, 2021 14:10:07 GMT
Very sorry to hear this Tod, do hope the situation quickly calms down.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jul 12, 2021 14:41:55 GMT
Here is one of the upsetting scenes.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 12, 2021 14:55:55 GMT
Oh dear Tod! Thank you so much for checking in here and for your comments, as otherwise the news would have everyone frantic to know how you're faring. Is there a way for your gardener to let you know that he got home okay? Fervent hopes that this situation is contained very soon.
|
|
|
Post by mich64 on Jul 12, 2021 17:39:23 GMT
What an absolutley frightening state of events in your region Tod. We are relieved to hear you both are safe and that the army arriving will hopefully help curtail the violence.
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Jul 12, 2021 18:43:17 GMT
I have not seem this news before now Tod but glad you and your family are ok. I hope your gardener got home safely too. Lets hope and keep everything crossed that the violence calms down soon. Keep us up-dated if you can
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Jul 12, 2021 19:16:24 GMT
Very frightening! Wishing you well, tod.
|
|
|
Post by lagatta on Jul 12, 2021 23:51:59 GMT
Is it warmer than usual this winter? That is the kind of mayhem I'd expect more in summer. Hope it dies down soon.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 13, 2021 8:15:41 GMT
Morning everyone. We awoke to thick smoke blocking out the sun and the awful stench of burning. We both had a restful night thanks to the Community Forum who rounded up anyone who could stand guard around our nearby supermarkets etc. and blocked off all access to this area. There is no evidence of the army up our way but despite their so called presence, the criminals managed to burn down more businesses in the outlying area nearest the road to the black townships of Edendale. Last night the President re-assured us he would restore calm and order but as I type this there are gunshots and explosions down in the city. I hope its the army taking a stand. There is nothing we can do except sit it out. I'm sure my gardener arrived home but I will try and contact him today as he has not showed up for work - which I expected and am very happy he is at home. Running 15km to my house and back every day is part of his training regime for the Comrades Marathon from which he has gained a Silver Medal and several bronze medals over the years. He is now 53. I will report back here from time to time and really appreciate everyone's good thoughts for us. Of course we are worried terribly that our shop will be attacked as that is our whole lives and at least 30 staff who rely on us to put bread on the table for their families.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jul 13, 2021 9:17:43 GMT
Obviously, all that the rest of us can do is keep our fingers crossed for you.
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jul 13, 2021 9:48:18 GMT
Absolutely.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 13, 2021 13:33:08 GMT
Thanks so much for reporting in again, Tod, as you know we're all thinking and worrying about you.
|
|
|
Post by Biddy on Jul 13, 2021 14:16:08 GMT
Thinking of you and yours Tod!
|
|
|
Post by lagatta on Jul 13, 2021 17:22:22 GMT
Including your gardener - an impressive fellow.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 14, 2021 6:49:26 GMT
Hi everyone. We are hoping for some reasoning with the looters and arsonists to happen today as the Taxi Association met this morning to see how they can get back to work. This may help - it may fizzle to just words. I got a good nights sleep but woke up with a sore stomach due to worry and nerves. At this moment I am waiting to hear from Mr.Tod who responded to a SMS asking more volunteers to help man the roadblocks as the teams need to rest. I agreed to him going but no night shift. I dont want to be here on my own and at his age he shouldn't be standing in the cold night air. If it would only rain!! That would slow the pace of looting.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 14, 2021 6:57:08 GMT
Goodness, Tod. I hope Mr. Tod takes into account how worried you must be & remembers to text you frequently.
Hoping there is some kind of dialogue & that reason prevails soon with the troublemakers.
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Jul 14, 2021 8:02:48 GMT
Hoping there is some kind of dialogue & that reason prevails soon with the troublemakers. I'm not sure that dialogue and reason can be hoped for in this situation. Partly it would depend on why people are looting -- just because they see everyone else doing it and the opportunity arose? Or the deeper underlying political/economic/social reasons that just cause things to blow up, in which case they are unlikely to be open to dialogue. In any case, Tod, I hope things calm down and that both you and Mr Tod and your family and your employees stay safe.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 14, 2021 8:24:04 GMT
Bjd - You are right of course about the cause of the looting and arson. South African history is as complicated as anyone's but it seemed to start when Jacob Zuma was exposed as one of the biggest crooks and pillager of the countries finances. Eventually he refused to appear and answer questions at a Commission of Enquiry called The Zondo Commission and was charged with contempt of court and arrested. His fellow crook accomplices fearing exposure have stirred up this attack on the country in the hopes he would be released. The President Ramaphosa is having none of it, so hundreds of criminals saw the opportunity to ransack and loot. The sad thing is they have encouraged the ordinary man in the street to come and help himself while the going is good. Of course there are other factors like the population is sick of the Covid restrictions and I don't think really grasp the severity of this curse amongst us. The political party of the ANC is in a shambles so no one really knows how this problem can be solved as soon as possible. There is a strong voice asking the President to declare a State of Emergency so that curfews and proper army controlled roadblocks can be put in place. At the moment it is the man in the street guarding his property. The police are outnumbered and we need more army personel on the ground. The whole thing is a complete ef -Up.
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jul 14, 2021 8:58:28 GMT
Is your business still ok tod?
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 14, 2021 9:35:43 GMT
Yes Mick - so far the looters have been aiming for food and clothing shops but in a big way. We have kept a low profile and maybe its because we are set back behind a railing fence we have been ignored. They have also targeted furniture stores - we also have a little furniture but I'm thinking it is hard to see it while no stores lights are on. I'm just hoping this trend continues. BUT, I have such exciting news!! Look! A big Hercules aircraft has just flown over my house for the second time today. Brought troops from the Western Cape who I'm told take no crap. My tummy ache feels better already.
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jul 14, 2021 12:15:29 GMT
Some good news for you at last.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jul 14, 2021 13:15:08 GMT
Our ABC news gave a fairly long and analytic report on TV tonight. It looked horrible, Tod, smoke and fire in the big shopping areas. I hope your place is safe. I find it interesting that the looting was people looking for food and daily needs...most places they slope off with TV sets and luxury items. I join with the whole mob here in hoping you and yours stay safe and your stress eases.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Jul 14, 2021 13:28:34 GMT
Thanks Questa and Mick - The looters are grabbing anything and everything including TV's, sofa couches, washing machines, generators, beds and mattresses - you name it, they've got it. I hope like hell our place survives this Horror Movie. A huge mall is targeted for today and reports are that hundreds of people are gathering to lay siege. I can only hope this last bunch of soldiers can fight them off. I feel pretty calm now but everytime Mr.Tods phone buzzes with the latest report on what's going on in the nearby roads, I get stressed again. Thanks everyone for thinking of us - Zimbabwe started this way and look where it is today. And even further back in time - my parents got out of Kenya just as the Mau=Mau were marauding.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jul 14, 2021 14:20:08 GMT
I saw that 72 people have died already. And it looks like it's just the beginning.
|
|