Community support after civil unrest in South Africa

Methodist Church Southern Africa working with those affected by the unrest with assistance from the World Mission Fund (£15,000).         

On Wednesday 14 July and Thursday 15 July, the BBC broadcast the South African riots on our television screens. The protests started on the evening of Friday 9 July, in the Guateng province of Johannesburg and in KwaZulu Natal province – hometown of former South African President Jacob Zuma. The protests degenerated into riots when he turned himself into authorities to serve a 15 month jail term for contempt of court, following corruption allegations he repeatedly denied.

By Thursday 15 July, the death toll had shot up to more than one hundred and more than a thousand people arrested for arson and looting of shops, hospitals, offices and malls. The purported instigator of the political protest was detained and many law enforcement agents were on the streets to reduce violent outbursts. Properties and infrastructure worth more than seven million rand were said to have been damaged, and many residents came out to clean the mess left by looters as from Friday 16 July.

Olubunmi Olayisade (MCB Partnership Coordinator for Africa) spoke with Bishop Purity Malinga as the Methodist Church Southern Africa seeks to assist those who have lost jobs, properties, goods and loved ones. MCSA will offer relief items, especially food and basic survival kits to victims. The poor and the marginalised are worst hit because both provinces are in level four lockdown due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic across South Africa. 

Through World Mission Partnership, Irish Methodists make an annual contribution to the World Mission Fund.