“Sihle Zikala, Why”: Mzansi Weighs In on KZN Premier’s Assault on Suspected Looter

“Sihle Zikala, Why”: Mzansi Weighs In on KZN Premier’s Assault on Suspected Looter

  • KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has come under the spotlight after a video showing him assaulting a suspected looter surfaced on social media
  • The footage was taken on Wednesday following days of civil unrest and widespread looting in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Social media users have accused the premier of adopting a vigilante mentality while others said his conduct showed a lack of leadership

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The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala is in recent times the subject of a thorough examination from South Africans.

The politician was seen beating up a suspected looter on live TV in a video that has gone viral on Twitter. Since then, the premier has been at the receiving end of a barrage of criticism.

Sihle Zikala, Mzansi, KZN, Premier, Assault, Looter, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africans
KZN Premier Sihle Zikala has come under fire from some circles after he was seen beating up a suspected looter. Image: Darren Stewart/ Gallo Images.
Source: Getty Images

Social media users from all walks of life tore into Zikalala with some questioning his temperament. Some accused the premier of adopting a vigilante mentality, while others said his conduct showed a lack of leadership.

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In a short video of a broadcast on Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, which was shared by the EFF's Floyd Shivambu, among others, Zikalala is seen beckoning the young man before grabbing and beating him with a clenched fist on his back twice.

The victim then breaks away and makes a run for it in the direction of others making their way down an embankment. In the same footage, a man thought to be Zikalala's security guard made an attempt to grab the young man but failed.

Social media erupts with polarising views on Zikalala assault

Briefly News takes a look at some reactions to the incident from Mzansi social media:

@TheReal_Ketsy said:

"I think at this point it's safe to say Sihle Zikalala is being overwhelmed by all the sporadic looting still continuing."

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@MacdonaldMaja added:

"You will call it assault to suit your narrow ends. As an African, this is exactly how older and responsible people lash the young offenders to be ... responsible."

@Mike_Easiy added:

"Sihle Zikakalala was like, 'woza la (come here)'."

@TchrisTshepo shard:

"The premier to me has done well because he did all of the things that he was supposed to do as a leader but they undermine him and continued looting, so?"

Malema feels for disgraced Andile Lungisa after berating at PE taxi ranks

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema reached out to beleaguered former ANC councillor Andile Lungisa, who was publicly berated in Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday.

Recently, Briefly News reported that with rumours afoot that he has been a proponent for possible violent unrest in the Eastern Cape, Lungisa was requested by the local taxi industry to appear at various ranks to address the public.

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On Wednesday, Lungisa was suspended for 18 months by the ANC in the Eastern Cape. A letter signed by the party's provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukaitobi confirmed the suspension.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tshepiso Mametela avatar

Tshepiso Mametela (Head of Current Affairs Desk) Tshepiso Mametela is a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience writing for online and print publications. He is the current affairs Head of Desk at Briefly News. He was a news reporter for The Herald, a senior sports contributor at Opera News SA, and a reporter for Caxton Local Media’s Bedfordview and Edenvale News and Joburg East Express community titles. He has attended media workshops, including the crime and court reporting one by the Wits Justice Project and Wits Centre for Journalism in 2024. Email: tshepiso.mametela@briefly.co.za