SAHRC hearings: Phoenix resident denies July killings were a massacre
The South African Human Rights Commission has heard that the 36 people who were killed during the July unrest in Phoenix were not massacred, but killed by private security officers, drug lords and criminal elements.
Resident Sham Maharaj testified on Tuesday.
He is the co-founder of the Phoenix Ubuntu Forum - an organisation that was formed after the unrest.
Maharaj said he was part of a group of 50 unarmed community members, predominantly men of Indian descent, who attempted to protect shops and homes.
Phoenix, which is situated north of Durban, has a majority Indian population and is close to several informal settlements and poor communities.
"We acknowledge that there were roadblocks set up by security companies, drug lords, and criminal elements who had infiltrated people who are residents of the area. They were armed and were located in the main areas of Phoenix. These were the people responsible for the violence and killings that happened, we condemn the killings,” said Maharaj.
Maharaj visibly tensed up when he was asked why the killings in Phoenix did not constitute a massacre.
“I think those were killings that were unacceptable. We acknowledge it, we have condemned it, and gave information to the police to ensure those people are arrested. The massacre thing got coined by the media and opportunist politicians. That’s my view,” he said.
Evidence leader Buang Jones told Maharaj that he cannot be more concerned about the image of Phoenix instead of the families of those who died.
Maharaj disagreed, stating that they have met with the families as part of a restorative justice program by the Department of Justice.
The Ubuntu Forum is also working to ensure social cohesion.
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