THE PHOENIX MASSACRE

ACTS of violence and killings occurred in Phoenix, but unlike similar incidents in other areas, some took on a particular a racial form.

Like many others, we too are outraged and appalled by the brutality of the violence that marked some of the incidents. We condemn the perpetrators who carried out the acts.

We strongly believe that the law must take its course in bringing the perpetrators to book.

We are of the view that the SAHRC should make a conscious effort to distinguish between the actions of the perpetrators of violence, from those of the community as a whole.

In our experience and from the information we have available, the overwhelming majority of people involved in self-protection acted lawfully and in a disciplined fashion, as did the hundreds of other groups who patrolled the streets in most residential areas throughout the province.

We believe that the labelling of the entire Phoenix community, and through the characterisation of the events in Phoenix as a “massacre” has demonised the entire Indian community because of the actions of a few.

We have grave reservations about attempts to characterise the deaths in Phoenix as a “massacre” for the following reasons:

◆ The term “massacre” is usually associated with the idea of mass killings, carried out at the same time and in the same place. In Phoenix, the killings did not occur at the same time and nor did they occur in the same place. There is no neutral definition of what constitutes a “massacre”. We are of the view that the use of the term “massacre” to describe the events that occurred in Phoenix during the unrest is not objective and neutral. It instead reflects a subjective and partial perspective on the matter.

◆ The evidence available about the circumstances, timeline and geographical location of the people who have been deemed to have died in Phoenix has not been presented to the public as yet. We believe that it is critical for such information to be released to inform how the killings that occurred in Phoenix should be characterised.

◆ We note that it is alleged that there were 36 deaths in Phoenix and that there were initially 28 arrests. The charge sheets of those arrested however do not reflect the extent of deaths reported.

◆ The narrative of the “Phoenix Massacre” was initially driven by false information in the media that 300 bodies found in the Phoenix mortuary were due to killings that took place in Phoenix. The MEC for Health in KwaZuluNatal subsequently corrected this misrepresentation by explaining that the 300 bodies were, in fact, from many areas, and not only from Phoenix and many have even included natural deaths. Nonetheless, the damage was done. The narrative held, race relations in KwaZuluNatal were severely damaged.

◆ The continued characterisation of the killings in Phoenix as a “massacre” is being used by individuals and organisations to deepen racial division and discord.

◆ We wish to be categoric in denouncing clear racism by some South Africans of Indian descent. We condemn such racism as we do racism from any other sector including some in the black African community who inter alia say Indians must go back to India.

◆ We must not be distracted by this racism. Yes, we must expose it and consequences must follow. But we believe that such racists are located in the extremes of our spectrum, not in the mainstream, which must be mobilised and led for the common national good.