“Setting the Stage: The Dawn of South Africa’s July 2021 Social Unrest”

South Africa, in July 2021, found itself in the grip of unparalleled public unrest. The turmoil, marked by violence, destruction, and loss of life, sparked off on July 9th and increased around the 16th. It engulfed the nation for eight days in a symphony of chaos that’s aptly encapsulated in a documentary released by Sasria in July 2023.

“Unfolding the Chaos: A Blow-by-Blow Account of the Unprecedented Uprising”

The civil unrest initially appeared as a typical Friday morning, tranquil and uneventful, on the 9th of July 2021. However, a swift descent into chaos ensued, as the day gave way to sweeping devastation that spread like uncontrollable wildfires consuming everything in its path. In KwaMashu, KwaZulu Natal, one of South Africa’s largest shopping centres became a significant case study, offering Sasria insight into the events leading up to what could be one of the most costly demonstrations in recent history.

The security team at the shopping centre provided a compelling account of the well-coordinated onslaught that began with a threatening assemble of multitude of people around the complex hours before the eruption of the crisis. An hour prior to the onset of the attack, sensing the brewing storm, they began deploying defensive measures to protect the property. However, their efforts would prove inadequate against the impending wave of chaos.

The ambush that followed saw the shopping centre’s gates swarmed, overwhelmed by a flood of protesters whom the security personnel found virtually impossible to restrain. They recollected how the mob seemingly erupted from all directions around the mall, acting with a level of coordination that suggested they had been given some signal to initiate their attack. This resulted in widespread damage and rampant looting. As spectators worldwide watched on their television screens, the centre was helplessly plundered in a display of unashamed lawlessness.

One member of the security team is paraphrased recounting the traumatic experience: “It was as though some of these individuals had surrendered their sense of civility, the bold ferocity of their actions was deeply unsettling.” Another perspective suggested a hesitant initiation, noting, “Initially, it seemed as though the protesters were looting with reluctance, frequently looking over their shoulders as though wary of apprehension.”

By Saturday, July 10, however, such caution had evaporated. As the first wave of policing made its presence known, a brief period of calmness ensued. Yet, with the night of the 10th leading to the dawn of the following day, the unrest flared once again, and the situation had taken a darker turn. What started as a manifestation of political dissent was quickly hijacked by criminal elements, exploiting the escalating chaos. Instances of vandalism and arson began to appear, setting a worrying precedent for the days to come. This is the day preceding the complete obliteration of structural properties, from shopping centres and malls to distribution centres.

Sunday, July 11, brought an intensified wave of violence and destruction. Shopping centres and local businesses were targeted, their interiors gutted as looters made off with everything from electronics to food. At this point, a pervasive lawlessness had fully taken root, tilting the scales irreversibly towards complete chaos as the night fell, flames licked the dark sky, marking the sites of widespread arson attacks.

The peak of the lawlessness came on Monday, July 12, when the widespread destruction of property was most prevalent. At this time, shopping malls, distribution centres, and even residential properties fell victim to the mindless violence. The scale of the destruction was heart-wrenching, and this day was marked as the day with the most losses estimated in over R24 billion.

The country was gripped in an escalating crisis, with stores being looted empty and arson becoming rampant, gradually escalating to a buildup of devastation. Infrastructure crumbled, businesses were razed, and supply chains disrupted as riot reigned. One of the biggest retailors had to fly their security forces from Johannesburg to KwaZulu Natal in an attempt to protect what was left of their stores.

At this point, the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was the final line of defence in a desperate need to restore the rule of law, marking the gravity of the situation that had spiraled far beyond the realm of conventional control. By Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 and 14, the SANDF’s presence somewhat stemmed the tide of destruction, but isolated incidents of violence and looting persisted. The unrest began to abate, leaving behind a landscape scarred by violence and a nation shocked by the events of the past week.

As the dust settled around Thursday and Friday 15 and 16, the true scale of destruction became alarmingly apparent. According to post-event analyses and loss accumulation figures, the devastation reached a staggering amount estimated to be in excess of R50 billion with over 350 lives lost, leaving the nation in a state of shock and marking this period as one of the darkest in South Africa’s recent history. Sasria incurred a significant amount of these losses at a crippling loss amount of R37bn as of 31st March 2022.

”Emerging from the Storm: Reflecting on the Impact and Lessons of the 2021 South African Unrest”

This eight-day episode of unrest underscores the need for continued dialogue and reform in the face of stark socio-economic disparity. As South Africa grapples with its aftermath, the events of July 2021 stand as a stark reminder of the volatility that lurks beneath the surface of any society grappling with significant social inequality.

While the right to protest is a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy, let us remember to wield this power with the wisdom and responsibility it deserves – ensuring our actions respect the rights of others and protect the very infrastructure that supports our economy, our livelihoods, and the future of our great nation. Let us remember that the strength of our grievances should never be measured by the degree of destruction, but by the depth of our resolve for dialogue and meaningful change.

Change (Number of claims by day) to (Claim damage by day)

Written by:  Muzi Dladla – Executive Manager at Sasria SOC Limited

First published on Sunday Times: 9th of July 2023

Sasria is an authorised FSP registered under license number 39117