Community Comes Together After Tragic Loss
Update on the Addo Violence in Eastern Cape
By Natalie Nyathi
After series of meetings with everyone involved, including the family of the deceased, it’s clear that residents still have complaints. The father of the deceased has urged the community to stay strong.
General Shellaz stated: “Our leadership will meet with the family tomorrow at their home, and we are sending a delegation to address the concerns. We want to ensure we are prepared, so we are appealing for contributions from well-wishers to support our efforts. All donations will be recorded and managed in Port Elizabeth (PE), so please register your contributions there.”
The recent violence began when some foreign nationals entered a local tavern in Addo, Valencia Eastern Cape and killed a local national. This incident sparked retaliation from the locals, who subsequently killed three foreign nationals. In the wake of this violence, many foreign nationals fled their homes out of fear of being targeted and attacked, choosing instead to camp outside the local police station for safety.
With enough support, General Shellaz and the delegation hope to hold the meeting and deliver an apology. He added: “By tonight(yesterday), we aim to have gathered enough support for the meeting and apology.”
Shellaz has expressed gratitude for the community’s support, noting that people have been eating better lately, moving beyond just bread and soup. “We want to express our gratitude to everyone who has donated. Hunger is becoming a thing of the past, and it’s all thanks to your generosity. Thank you for your understanding, and God bless you all.”
Eyewitnesses report that two meetings have taken place between community leaders and the families affected, but the outcomes remain unclear. Shellaz emphasized the need for coordination to avoid issues with the police and urged anyone with family members who wish to join them to reach out for assistance.
We will keep you updated on the meeting and the outcomes of the apology, as well as any developments in the ongoing situation in Addo. Stay tuned for more.
