Families of the 36 people who died during the alleged racially-motivated attacks in Phoenix, north of Durban, during the July 2021 riots , say they want justice for their loved ones. They were speaking in Phoenix during an event organised by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities CRL and the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC.
Vigilante groups from Phoenix, a largely Indian-populated area, are believed to have targeted residents of the surrounding communities of Inanda and Amaoti, largely home to black South Africans.
Emotions ran high at the Redfern Community Hall in Phoenix when Chris Biyela - who lost his brother in the alleged racial attacks - addressed the event. People from the Indian community wanted Biyela to withdraw his statement which then led to an exchange of words between African and Indian community members.
Its been four years since the July 2021 unrest took place - which claimed the lives of over 350 people in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Many families in Phoenix say they are still trying to come to terms with the death of their loved ones.
Biyela lost his brother, Nhlanhla, who was on his way home when he was shot in his car on the Phoenix highway. His brother later died in the hospital.