Racial utterances slammed

RACIST remarks against the Indian community were slammed this week by religious and political organisations, the city and premier.

This was after a video circulated on social media showing Jackie Shandu, the convener of a coalition of civic groups under the banner #Justiceforphoenixmassacrevictims during a march to Durban City Hall on Thursday shouting to a gathering, “One settler, one bullet. One Indian, one bullet.”

Shandu on Friday posted a retraction on social media.

Shandu’s utterances follow reports of tensions in the Phoenix community following several killings during the violence and looting which happened three weeks ago. In a statement, Justice for Phoenix Massacre Victims said the movement was anti-racist and did not condone violence.

“In principle, the Justice for Phoenix Massacre Victims was established to fight the act of racism that occurred in Phoenix and other Indian communities. The movement wants to inform South Africans, the KZN Province and ethekwini public that, as a matter of fact, the convenor of The Justice For Phoenix Massacre Victims, Comrade Jackie Shandu, has consciously and voluntarily withdrawn his remarks of ‘One Settler, One Bullet, One Indian, One Bullet’ unconditionally.”

The ethekwini Municipality on Friday denounced the racist remarks made by the group that marched to the City Hall.

“The City distances itself from any individuals or groups that are hell-bent on polarising society and that seek to use violence to resolve issues. One of the many racial utterances made by the disgruntled group are related to the recent killings in Phoenix.

“ethekwini subscribes to the provisions of the Freedom Charter, which stipulates among others that ‘South Africa belongs to all who live in it’. The City understands frustrations that are a result of the recent unrest. It acknowledges that these unfortunate incidents, have to a certain extent, reversed the gains of social cohesion programmes carried out by the City with other spheres of government,” said municipal spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela.

He said the city appeals to the public to give law enforcement agencies and other institutions tasked with dispensing justice, time and space to deal with the matter justly.

Visvin Reddy, leader of African Democratic Change (ADEC) laid charges against Shandu for inciting hate speech, intimidation and crimen injuria.

Reddy dismissed some isolated anti-indian attacks to be the work of mischievous, young, inexperienced Africans. He said he was encouraged by the reassuring comments by experienced leaders of the country.

“South African Indians and Africans have worked side by side to bring about freedom,” said Reddy.

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala called on the province’s people to unite and work with the government by supporting initiatives aimed at promoting peace and unity.