Human Rights Commission ‘deeply concerned’ by Vodacom looting

The SA Human Rights Commission has added its voice to the condemnation of the looting and vandalism of a Vodacom store at the Mall of the North in Polokwane at the weekend.

The looting, which took place on Sunday December 2, was done by people dressed in EFF regalia. It came after the EFF had been criticised in a speech at the annual Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards on Thursday.

“The commission is of the view that political parties, as well as the population at large, should ensure that we all use the legal and constitutional mechanisms at our disposal in addressing grievances. A constitutional democracy such as ours should not tolerate violence and/or looting and vandalism as a response to utterances that are not acceptable to one group or another in our society.

“There are appropriate legal and constitutional mechanisms which can be used in order to express such dislikes,” the commission said in a statement.

It said that it commended and supported the police’s investigation of the incident.

“The commission will also monitor the matter closely and will intervene when necessary and appropriate,” it said.