Analyst commends GPU leaders in KZN for looking past their history

As the country marks three years this week since the 2021 July unrest, Political Analyst and Cultural Expert, Professor Musa Xulu, says it is impressive to see how the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal is focused on rebuilding the province.

Prof Xulu hails the historic political nemesis the ANC, DA, IFP, and NFP for the perseverance and working together in what, he says, will eventually benefit the people of the province.

Prof Xulu believes this can be attributed to the ANC’s commitment to creating a non-racial South Africa.

Three hundred and 60 people were killed when riots erupted in KZN and parts of Gauteng following former president Jacob Zuma’s incarceration in 2021. Thirty-six of the deceased were from Phoenix.

The country’s economy hard hit by the looting, violent attacks, and destruction of properties estimated to cost R50-billion, with KZN still not having fully recovered, years later.

While some families did not find the remains of their loved one and only two Govender brothers were successfully prosecuted for the assault and attempted murder of three friends in Phoenix, Prof Xulu believes justice will only be served for the families of the victims when the true instigators of the unrest are caught.

He says it is intriguing that the core reason for the turmoil remains unknown despite investigations by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission.

As pain and the yearning for answers lingers in some communities of KZN, Prof Xulu believes the establishment of programmes aimed at fostering racial cohesion in Phoenix could be beneficial.

The Phoenix massacre created tension between Indian and Black South Africans as the 36 people who died there were murdered by armed community members who said they were protecting their businesses and properties.

Prof Xulu has warned South Africans against narrowing down the violence in Phoenix to racial divisions.

Dylan and Ned Govender are serving seven years behind bars for assaulting and attempted murder of Mxolisi Phuthuzo, Nkululeko Mangwe and Qaphelani Mkhovu.