Households of those that died in Phoenix throughout July riots need justice – SABC Information

Families of the 36 people who died during the alleged racially-motivated attacks in Phoenix, north of Durban, during the July 2021 riots, say they want justice for their loved ones. They were speaking in Phoenix during an event organised by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

Vigilante groups from Phoenix, a largely Indian-populated area, are believed to have targeted residents of the surrounding communities of Inanda and Amaoti, largely home to black South Africans.

Emotions ran high at the Redfern Community Hall in Phoenix when Chris Biyela – who lost his brother in the alleged racial attacks – addressed the event. People from the Indian community wanted Biyela to withdraw his statement which then led to an exchange of words between African and Indian community members.

It’s been four years since the July 2021 unrest took place – which claimed the lives of over 350 people in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Many families in Phoenix say they are still trying to come to terms with the death of their loved ones.

Biyela lost his brother, Nhlanhla, who was on his way home when he was shot in his car on the Phoenix highway. His brother later died in the hospital.

Biyela believes that the group of people from Phoenix targeted black South Africans who were travelling on the road. He says they haven’t found closure as no one has been arrested for his brother’s death. However, he welcomes initiatives to start the process of reconciliation.

“The truth of the matter is that we have never seen anyone coming forward and taking full accountability for what had happened, to the point that they accept the guilt of the incident that took place. The gruesome incident took place where we experienced the only targeted killings of a certain race, which we are now confident to classify as it was racial killings. Even the Human Rights Commission gave the report and they also state that there was racial killings in Phoenix. We are not a nation of holding grudges of hatred. We did not hate and we like to see unity between the communities,” says Biyela.

The chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Chris Nissen, says they have started the process of reconciliation.

“Most important for today is the fact that we brought communities together, together with the CRL, to start and co-tender the healing process, because while there are other processes but I think building this community getting people together and to say that healing takes place when people engage one another. That’s why we ate here today with the CRL.”

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, says they will work with different organisations to restore peace and healing.

“It’s been four years. But there hasn’t been much healing, so we said let’s look at how we can help them, find peace, find healing, and find reconciliation between the two communities. But while saying that we are very much aware that these are deep wounds, and they will take quite a lot to heal we will bring everybody to the table, even those that are vehemently opposed to certain terms, being used we will have to involve them in the process if we want real healing.”

One of the cases which made headlines and reached a conclusion was that of two brothers from Phoenix – Dylan and Ned Govender – who were each sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the attempted murder and assault of 19-year-old, Mondli Majola.

They were, however, acquitted on the charge of murder.