‘Reconciliation a collective effort’

WHILE faith-based organisations and politicians have attempted to foster reconciliation between Indians and African communities in Phoenix and surrounding areas, violence monitors believe the tensions are deeper than they appear.

Although 10 suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of 40 people who were killed in separate incidents during the week of unrest, the situation remained tense between the two groups.

Police and soldiers had to keep a watchful eye outside Verulam Magistrate’s Court this week where the suspects appeared on Monday and Friday, as two groups protested outside the courts, advancing conflicting messages.

While the African communities, from which most of the victims were from, called for justice and described the killings as racist acts, Phoenix communities came out in support of the suspects, labelling their actions as community defence.

The 10 accused were identified by the court on Friday, and are facing various charges ranging from murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and possession of dangerous weapons, to possession of suspected stolen goods.

They were all remanded in custody and are expected to make a formal bail application on Thursday.

While the matter was under way, outside the court throngs of supporters in ANC, EFF and IFP regalia were chanting Struggle songs and holding placards denouncing racism.

Another group marched to the Durban City Hall making racial utterances in reference to the Phoenix killings. The utterances were denounced by the eThekwini municipality.

In a move to foster reconciliation, a faith-based organisation, Accurate Building Concepts (ABC) City Forum of Churches, visited one of the victims, Zandile Mthembu, who survived a traumatic ordeal at a roadblock in Phoenix. Mthembu’s life was threatened when her car was set alight by a group of men at a roadblock on the outskirts of Phoenix.

The forum presented Mthembu with a new car in an attempt to restore peace.

Pastor Justin Naidoo, the forum's spokesperson, said replacing a car was the least they could do, while they planned further initiatives to reconcile the affected communities.

Violence monitor Mary de Haas believed that the Phoenix killings were a symptom of a failure to pursue the nation-building agenda set in motion during the dawn of democracy.

“Although there are periodic complaints from African businesspeople about alleged preferential treatment of ‘Indian’ businesses, it is important to note that in most areas such as Phoenix, which was historically an ‘Indian’ group area, people of different races live amicably in the same neighbourhoods.

“Another problem is that in all of the apartheid designated races in SA, there are still racist people who, fortunately, are probably in a minority.

“There must be justice for victims who died in Phoenix, which is a starting point for reducing the anger of black Africans. However, there must be, together with justice, immediate steps to build relationships between people of different races in Phoenix.

“This cannot be left to politicians. I have suggested that at a community level, civil society groups be formed, like faith-based organisation representatives, people engaged in NPO work, and people who are respected in the community, such as business people who give to needy people,” said De Haas.

See Insider for more analysis on the unrest which rocked parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, including Neville Alexander’s warning to South Africa.