Randburg residents feel unsafe, want more from president Ramaphosa
RANDBURG – Residents give their opinions on the president's address and the protests going on.
Community members do not feel safe and want President Cyril Ramaphosa’s to do more to stop the ongoing violence and looting.
This emerged after the Randburg Sun spoke to members of the community on the morning of July 13, in connection with the #ShutdownSA or pro-Zuma protests in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which have developed into a general protest regarding unemployment and other social issues.
This is what they had to say…
“We are scared because we don’t know where they [the protesters] will go next,” said Simon Mthimunye, supervisor at the Engen petrol station on Beyers Naudé Drive, Randpark Ridge.
“I live in Dobsonville and I saw how they vandalised and looted the Shoprite and Pick n Pay. Even Maponya Mall was looted. It will take the shops a long time to recover and we have to travel further to do our shopping now. It is expensive.”
The president addressed the nation the night before, saying the South African National Defence Force would be intervening.
“I don’t think the president said enough,” said Grant Hooper, who was shopping at Honeycrest Centre in Randpark Ridge.
“When the army came to help with Covid, we knew exactly where they would be and what would happen, but there is no plan of action for this. The president didn’t give journalists the chance to ask questions. He just stood there and read his speech and left. He only told us what we already know, that there is looting and violence, but what must we do to stay safe?”
Dale Fogg echoed Hooper’s thoughts.
“For me the biggest problem is social media and people creating a panic about petrol and things when they shouldn’t, and they spread misinformation.”
Desire Bosange agreed that he did not feel safe.
“I work here in Randpark Ridge but I live in Turffontein, and I see the violence going on and people have said that if they see you working, they will make things worse for you.”
HW Wagner had hoped the president would declare a State of Emergency.
This while Coral Stewart felt businesses and restaurants needed to open up safely, as lockdown restrictions could be partly to blame for the unemployment that has fueled the protest.
Another community member, who asked not to be named, spoke about the intense fear being felt. “I live in Diepsloot, and last night (July 12) was terrible. They burnt the shops, we couldn’t even go buy food. Even now, we are staying inside the shop (at the petrol station where I work), because we just don’t know if they are coming. I have a small child at home. We just want to feel safe,” he said.
