KZN’s Zikalala shares insight into unrest

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Sihle Zikalala said tat some of the major factors behind the July unrest, which claimed hundreds of lives and caused billions in damages, were an under-resourced police unit, undignified socio-economic conditions and a history of violence in the province.

Zikalala said that legislation at a national level is not allowing the provincial government to do enough in terms of bulking up its police structures and units. Prior to the outbreak, he said the provincial government was not forewarned about the large-scale unrest that unfolded and relied on social media, mainstream media and a pamphlet for information.

The premier made his submission at the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) hearing into the July unrest, which affected KZN and parts of Gauteng with violence and mass acts of criminality. The commission also heard virtual testimonies from Gauteng premier David Makhura and Defence Minister Thandi Modise.

The Jacob Zuma protest kicked-off a few days after the former president was jailed for contempt of court by the Concourt and sentenced to a 15 month term at Estcourt Prison. Zuma supporters vowed that police would not remove him from Nkandla.