The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation calls for restraint from all sides

The riots in South Africa were sparked following the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma with his supporters demanding his release. Thus far more than 200 deaths have been recorded as well as at least 800 retail shops looted; the mayor in the province of KwaZulu-Natal has said the cost has risen to over $1bn.

The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation has pleaded for a stop to the anarchy stating “we have watched in horror as the violence has led to several deaths and to the destruction and looting of private property. We will always defend the right to peaceful protest, but we will never condone violence, destruction or looting in the name of any cause.”

To read the full statement, please visit https://www.tutu.org.za/stop-the-anarchy/ 

Every person has the right to a hold a peaceful protest regardless of your political persuasion, however it is utterly unacceptable to loot private property, bringing about fear and disruption to the lives of normal civilians who want nothing more than to go about their lives. 

The Tutu Foundation UK deeply regrets the current awful violence and suffering going on in South Africa. Our thoughts are with South Africans. - Clive Conway 

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