At least 37 Clicks stores affected, seven damaged, by EFF protesters
Two employees suspended, says Clicks
Seven Clicks stores have been damaged after the controversy surrounding a hair advert which depicted a black woman's hair as dry and damaged, while a white woman's was labelled as dull and flat, then normal and fine.
This comes as the EFF is leading a protest aimed at shutting Clicks stores countrywide because of the advert, which was deemed demeaning to black hair, was published on its website.
Party leader Julius Malema was outside Clicks at the Mall of the North, Polokwane.
“The only way to make capitalists apologise and feel genuine remorse is for them to lose money. #ClicksMustFall,” the party stated.
Malema announced that the party intended to ensure that no Clicks stores opened this week.
“Today is the beginning of rolling action against Clicks,” he said.
He appealed to security guards and the police to not intervene against his supporters.
“Peaceful protest is not a crime, it is protected by the constitution ... and we require no-one's permission.”
Protest action by the EFF is happening at 37 of its stores across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape. Seven stores were damaged, including Saveways in Witbank and Cycad in Polokwane. A store in Alberton was also vandalised and set alight on Monday morning.
Clicks warned in papers filed at the high court on Monday that its employees, and customers who required chronic medication, would suffer if their stores were shut down.
“Clicks strongly condemns violence of any kind or intimidation of staff and its customers. Clicks will take legal action against perpetrators and those seeking to incite violence or harm our people and our stores,” the retailer said in a statement.
Clicks said it provides a much-needed health-care service to South Africans and that stores would remain open for trading. It said contingency plans had been put in place to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
“Clicks has taken full accountability and apologised unreservedly for the advertisement published on its website and has taken immediate action to address all concerns,” it said.
Clicks Group CEO Vikesh Ramsunder said what happened was disappointing and transformation is a priority for the organisation. He said he was deeply disappointed and had thought the retailer was making progress on transformation.
Two employees allegedly responsible for the advert have been suspended, he said.
Malema, speaking at a protest in Polokwane, said the EFF wanted all employees responsible for the advert to be dismissed.
Meanwhile, EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, speaking outside a Clicks store in Sandton City, said no court order would stop the party from protesting against racism.
In a statement, the EFF welcomed a court decision to dismiss Clicks' urgent court application to bar the party from protesting outside its stores.
“The application by Clicks was dismissed due to being defective, with costs. As the EFF, we are vindicated that their arrogance was dealt with harshly by the courts,” an EFF statement said.
Clicks legal adviser Tamsyn Starck said in an affidavit that the retailer — which has 721 stores, 570 pharmacies and 13,251 employees — will be hurt by the protests.
“In the past 52 weeks, Clicks have serviced 1.3m chronic medication customers,” said Starck.
“Like virtually every retailer, Clicks has already suffered harm as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Clicks customers, some who rely on Clicks stores to provide critical prescription, will clearly suffer harm if stores are closed.”
The EFF distanced itself from any of the violence meted out to Clicks staff and stores.
“This is in no way associated with the EFF, as our protest action is conducted peacefully and lawfully,” the statement concluded.
DA MP Andrew Whitfield strongly condemned the EFF’s actions and accused them of inciting violence and the resultant malicious destruction of property.
“We will lay charges of incitement to violence and destruction of property against the EFF and, more especially, its leadership. We call on the police to take immediate action,” he said.
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