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- The government says that engaging in illegal behavior is not a responsible way to resolve a conflict.
- This after several Clicks stores were vandalized Monday after a hair ad that sparked outrage.
- More than 400 stores were attacked during the protest action.
The government has noted public outrage over a TRESemme ad Clicks posted, but says that engaging in illegal behavior is not a responsible way to resolve a conflict.
“While we are equally disturbed by the crude racist display of the advertisement in question, the acts of anarchy of vandalism and burning of Clicks stores that have been reported today are worrying and go against the spirit of peace and respect for human rights that has shaped this country since the dawn of democracy.
“Engaging in illegal behavior is not a responsible way to resolve conflicts,” the government’s director general of Information and Communication Systems Phumla Williams said in a statement on Monday.
This after more than 400 Clicks stores in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape were affected by the EFF protest action on Monday.
Additionally, the retailer previously stated that seven of its stores were damaged, including Saveways at Witbank and Cycad at Polokwane.
The EFF had made a list of demands for the retailer to comply within 24 hours on the hair ad that included four women: two black and two white.
The ad described the hair of two black women as “dry and damaged” as well as “curly and lackluster”, while the hair of the two white women was described as “fine and flat” and “normal”.
Clicks has since apologized for the ad.
However, Small Business Development Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni rejected what she called a “superficial apology from Clicks management.”
He said that if the Clicks management was serious about amending its mistake, “it should be reflected in measures to put more hair products made by South African SMEs for African hair on their shelves.”
READ | 425 Click stores targeted by EFF protests in KZN, Gauteng and Western Cape
The government called on all South Africans to resist the temptation to take the law into their own hands and to remain calm and follow the correct and legal channels to address their concerns.
“Members of the public who witness any form of intimidation or act of violence should contact the nearest police station or call the toll-free number: 10 111 to report such incidents,” Williams added.
Presidential Minister Jackson Mthembu said the government remains committed to the values of democracy.
“No form of discrimination or violation of human rights for any reason can be tolerated, as it undermines the progress made in building a united democratic country.
“Even in the face of resistance from a small minority, we continue our efforts to build a united South Africa that we can all be proud of. By launching Heritage Month today, we remember the many cultures, traditions and languages that make us who we are. In the spirit of social cohesion, let us value and respect each other regardless of color, origin, gender and religion, “he added.
