KwaZulu-Natal is on high alert amid fears of more looting and unrest after a court ruling that former President Jacob Zuma must return to jail.
The Gauteng high court in Pretoria found that former National Commissioner of Correctional Services Arthur Fraser’s decision to grant Zuma medical parole was unlawful and that he should serve the remainder of his 15-month sentence for contempt of court.
With some Zuma’s supporters threatening a repeat of July’s riots, business leaders have urged on national security leaders to act decisively. Top police officials in KwaZulu-Natal were said to be in meetings and are expected to issue a statement later.
“We hope that sanity prevails on all sides. We are still feeling the after-effects of the [July] unrest and looting,” said Minara Chamber of Commerce president Solly Suleman. “People have lost their lives, business has suffered untold damage. In the event of an unrest police must act swiftly. I am certain that civil society will not tolerate another July.”
Minara, which represents SA businesses and entrepreneurs following Islamic principles, said members had suffered major losses, with some had been forced to close down their businesses in July’s riots in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, that was sparked by Zuma’s imprisonment.
More than 300 people were killed in the ensuing violence, including 36 in the predominantly Indian suburb of Phoenix north of Durban, fuelling racial tensions.
Security officials were slow to respond to the violence, with national police and army reinforcements arriving three days into the unrest. The government’s security cluster was roundly criticised for its failure to contain the violence.
ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal said they are still studying the judgment. “This being a legal process does involve the Department of Justice having to study it as well, given that the department of correctional services falls within their ambit,” ANC provincial spokesperson Nhlakanipho Ntombela said. “We will also focus on the court’s ruling and the legal processes that will apply before we comment.”
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa called for calm from Zuma supporters and also said he felt that the matter was turning into a “witch hunt” against Zuma. “It is rather unfortunate, but the court processes must be respected.”
“While we do not question the court’s decision, we feel that the person who made the mistake should be dealt with,” Hlabisa added. “The province cannot afford [more] unrest and more looting. Those who feel the matter is unjust must rather deal with the institutions that are responsible and not cause more suffering for the people of the province.”
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