In the aftermath of the catastrophic floods that swept away loved ones, homes, memories and the dignity of hundreds of people, opportunistic criminals did something utterly despicable in the Eastern Cape.
They tried to turn pain and misfortune into cold, hard cash to fill their pockets.
As the Gift of the Givers, quick to get search and rescue boots on the ground with much-needed humanitarian aid, was providing clean drinking water at the weekend to affected communities, the NGO was subjected to threats and intimidation by extortionists.
OR Tambo district municipality hit the nail on the head in condemning the incident: “Extortion is a crime and a moral betrayal when directed at those extending a hand to the helpless. To prey on a crisis to turn pain into profit is merciless ... To learn that such humanity was met with criminal opportunism is not only heartbreaking, but utterly disgusting.”
Water and electricity supplies were disrupted by the floods, posing a serious health and safety hazard. The NGO, widely respected for its humanitarian work in times of tragedy around the world, stepped in to provide water, including at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, which was unable to function properly due to water infrastructure damage.
Amid all the hardship, suffering and grief as bodies were still being sought beneath the mud and debris, the NGO worked feverishly to provide affected communities with hot meals, dignity and compassion.
And who crawls out of the gutter while volunteers and officials move heaven and earth to help victims get access to water, considered a fundamental human right in South Africa? — the so-called “water mafia” with an odious attempt at self-enrichment. Where is ubuntu? Where is the compassion?
More than just tough talk is needed to flush this scum back down the gutter. We need to see arrests by the SAPS
Police minister Senzo Mchunu had a stern warning for the as yet unidentified thugs on Wednesday.
“Gift of the Givers has consistently been a source of hope and dignity to South Africans in their hour of need. Any attack on them is an attack on the very principle of ubuntu. No individual or group will be allowed to profiteer off disaster or compromise the safety and wellbeing of our people,” he said.
He also mentioned “individuals who go to the homes of those who lost their lives due to these floods, with a view to committing acts of theft from these homes”. He said police had been deployed to protect humanitarian workers and property.
Threats and intimidation through extortion is rapidly becoming an epidemic in South Africa as criminals look for lazy, often violent, new ways to make a quick buck, even off the most impoverished members of society.
More than just tough talk is needed to flush this scum back down the gutter. We need to see arrests by the SAPS. We need to see successful prosecutions by the National Prosecuting Authority and lengthy prison sentences dished out. Maybe we even need a “hall of shame” where the names and faces of convicted extortionists are displayed for all to see.
Enough is enough. These thugs must be found.
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