By Thobile Mazibuko 
Jul 15, 2021
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Local rapper Cassper Nyovest spoke out about the situation in parts of the country.
Since last week, parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng saw thousands of people looting and vandalising shops – leaving many business owners devastated.
The “Destiny” hitmaker shared his opinion about the looting.
He said usually he would refrain from speaking out due to the backlash when sharing his opinion.
However, in a statement shared on social media, he said: “This has been brewing for some time now.
“South Africa has been a ticking time bomb.
“Passing judgement from our comfortable homes about how people who are angry and less fortunate should behave is utterly ridiculous, some families’ reality is far more difficult than ours, so I can’t judge anyone.
“I am totally against looting.
“However, I am equally torn by our people’s lack and suffering.”
He asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to step up and not just rely on speeches for actions.
“Too many lives have already been lost, we plead for our president to show real leadership.
“Stand firm and show care for his nation… not just iPad speeches on TV,” said Cassper.
❤🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/w5KpYxtkbT
— Don Billiato (@casspernyovest) July 14, 2021
While others agreed with Cassper’s opinion, some challenged him, claiming he was indirectly justifying the situation.
“I’m rather disappointed Cassper.
“Why wait now to use your ‘powerful voice’ to call the government out.
“What you are doing is to justify what is happening, intended or not.
“The timing of your ‘powerful voice’ is really bad.
“And to compare looting to elections … wow,” commented @gofaonthaore.
Earlier this week, Kelly Khumalo spoke out against the ongoing criminal activities that are threatening to halt the country’s economy.
In the video clip that she shared on Instagram, the star addressed the ongoing violent protests and looting.
Kelly joined a handful of local celebrities who have condemned these criminal acts.
“I know it’s very hard to be rational when you are frustrated and feel defeated.
“I hope we understand that, in the end, we are the ones to continue to suffer.
“Looting and vandalising property is not the solution,” says Kelly.
She added: “The sad part about this whole looting spree is that it doesn’t solve our issues, it worsens them … It’s us, black people, who are going to suffer after all these riots are over, we are the ones to deal with the damage, we are the ones to deal with more joblessness.”
Reflecting on Ramaphosa’s address on Monday, about the unlawfulness that’s dominating the country now, she said: “The president, your guys’ president spoke and I heard nothing…
“He called for peace and yet he is not owning up to his contribution to this disaster … ”