Letter to the Editor: South Africans are losing their appetite for violent protest

The much-hyped EFF national shutdown, touted by the party as “the mother of all shutdowns” failed to manifest as the type of protest many feared it might become. While the planned action conjured up images and memories of the July 2021 riots in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), it also had the effect of galvanising citizens, security companies and police into taking preventative action.

KZN’s people have become accustomed to wanton destruction, burning and intimidation as a protest style – all of which was on display during the recent NEHAWU strike. Yet the EFF’s so-called shutdown saw SAPS, the SANDF, security companies and Neighbourhood Crime Watch groups all fully prepared to maintain law and order. It was this planning and resolve that deflated the shutdown and sent a clear message that violence and intimidation would not be tolerated.

Our security forces and civic watch groups must be commended for their service. They have shown that when we unite, we can defeat lawlessness. This will hopefully begin the process of restoring faith in the SAPS and the fostering of better working relationships with municipal and other officials.

This recent event has also shown that South Africans are losing their appetite for violent protest and the damage it does to our society and our economy. While the EFF have labelled the shutdown a victory – due to the fact that many businesses closed for the day – the reality is that for those who remain jobless and locked in poverty, the event was hollow and unhelpful.

Weakening the economy through shutdowns and driving down business activity has the undeniable impact of destroying job opportunities. The stability of our democracy and the wellbeing of our nation is dependent on an economy capable of supporting those who are of working age and healthy.
The ANC’s solution of employing as many people in government as possible and sustaining millions on meagre grants, is a recipe for poverty and inequality. The past 29 years of this failed policy has demonstrated just how damaging it is. True freedom, equality and dignity will come from productive activity that individuals have control over, rather than being controlled through fear and patronage.

The day after the “shutdown”, South Africans celebrated Human Rights Day. Significant in its own right, it was also fitting in its application to the previous day’s event. The rights of individuals to protest does not translate into the right to act with disregard for the law or the impact it has on others. Respect for fellow citizens and the rule of law are fundamentals that resonate with the principles of Liberal Democracy.

On the day of the shutdown, the DA in KZN took the initiative and set up a “nerve centre” consisting of its public representatives. This enabled the escalation of issues on the ground to relevant authorities. This is the spirit and constructive approach that we must foster in our communities if we want progress.

-Edwin Baptie, DA KZN Spokesperson on Health.

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