The premier of Eastern Cape embarked on a community awareness drive to condemn looting and vandalism of businesses. The drive was joined by O.R. Tambo District Municipality and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality to encourage community members not to participate in this cruel act that has been seen in some parts of KZN and Gauteng provinces.
The awareness that took place in the form of motorcade in Mthatha on the 16 July 2021 whereby various stakeholders that comprises of security cluster, local taxi association, religious leaders, businesses, informal traders, and community members joined the convoy to denounce looting of businesses
Speaking during the community awareness Premier Mabuyane stated that the province is working very hard to strengthen its economy as it was previously hampered by apartheid era therefore the social unrest can have a huge negative impact if it were to happen.
“Let us refrain from destroying the little that we have and think about live and livelihood of those that are working in these enterprises. COVID 19 has already done so much damage and we cannot experience another tragedy of job losses though our actions” he said.
He continued saying that the communities must also welcome those coming from KZN to buy food as they are experiencing food shortage.
Prior, the event, KSD Executive Mayor went on local community radios to engaged KSD communities to not join the social unrest and barbaric act of looting and vandalising businesses. He also assured businesses and communities that the matter is under control as they are engaging with security clusters and stakeholders including taxi associations.
The provincial government and the municipalities appreciated the stunt taken by taxi industry to join the law enforcement to prevent looting which a threat to the economy of the province and the country at large.