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My heart is bleeding for my country tonight

354 replies

TrixieLou · 12/07/2021 22:03

Name changed and posting here for traffic.

I have been resident in the UK for 15 years but I am originally from Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. My country is on fire. It has been mentioned on the news today but the football has completely overshadowed the story. My family live in the worst hit area. Shopping centres have been looted and destroyed. Thousands of criminals have been shooting, looting, throwing grenades and setting off bombs. I had my father on the phone earlier and could hear gunshots in the background. The police and the military are doing nothing. My brothers are currently blocking off their roads with their vans. They are armed with guns. Most of their neighbours are there too. They are watching thousands of angry protesters approach from the valley below. Gunshots. Fire. Bombs. There is black smoke billowing in the air from trucks and cars being set on fire. Thousands of people are walking on the streets carrying merchandise from destroyed shopping centres. People are shooting at each other. They have said that this is only the beginning. Private homes will be next. The homes that house my family and friends. My family are scared for their lives tonight. I just had my father in tears on the phone, telling me he doesn’t know what is going to happen tonight and that he loves me. He never got to meet my new baby.

Please pray for South Africa tonight. Or send good thoughts if you don’t pray. They will never recover from this. They were already on their knees.

OP posts:
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Mixmeup · 13/07/2021 00:02

My family are there too. They live in a secure compound so are hopefully safe enough - parents in their 70s and a 40 year old brother. They are feeling very worried.

AdoraBell · 13/07/2021 00:08

I saw the brief news report.

I’ll keep everything crossed for your family and friends, and everyone in SA.

TrixieLou · 13/07/2021 00:19

Latest update from my home town:

The local residents have taken things into their own hands. All entrances to residential areas have been blocked off by residents using their own cars. They are armed and are currently keeping the protesters out with bullets. My father has now joined them, he is nearly 70. The protesters are violently trying to get through the barricades but they are holding strong. There are bodies in the street and gunfire and explosions are still filling the streets. The looters are driving by with trucks full of goods from the shopping malls. No signs of letting up for now.

OP posts:
Bettysnow · 13/07/2021 00:23

I will pray for the safety of your family and all innocent people caught up in this. God bless them

disculpe · 13/07/2021 00:26

I'm sorry to hear this, you must be so worried. I spent a lot of time in South Africa and loved it, it is such a beautiful country with lovely people. Hope things calm down soon for your family, and for the country as a whole.

JedEye · 13/07/2021 00:31

I lived in SA for a while and I am so sad to see what’s happening. How terrifying. I hope they get this all under control ASAP and that your family and friends are safe. So sorry your family are going through this OP

MargaretThursday · 13/07/2021 00:35

🙏🙏🙏

TrixieLou · 13/07/2021 00:39

Thank you all so much. You’ve all been so lovely. Thank you for keeping me company tonight ❤️ I’m not sure if this will work but this video really shows the extent of the damage. And this is just in one small area.

fb.watch/v/fbgUUOxeR/

OP posts:
Severncity · 13/07/2021 00:39

🙏🙏🙏

JingsMahBucket · 13/07/2021 00:47

@Vinniepolis
but the fact they are rioting because the most corrupt politician in SA history has been sent to jail does my head in.

I’m sorry but racist murdering stealing apartheid and enslaving leaders for several hundred years would like to have a word with your inaccurate comment.

Satears · 13/07/2021 00:48

@TrixieLouFlowers my tiny town has been decimated and the same as yours; local residents young and old are trying to what they can to protect their town. None of my family or friends can sleep as they heard the looters will be attempting to throw petrol / fire bombs through their windows. I feel helpless and so so guilty that I’m here safe while everyone back home are fearing for their lives.

Severncity · 13/07/2021 01:10

So horrified to hear about this. Sorry for everyone whose loved ones are caught up in all this. I can't believe it's not being widely reported on in the UK.

Eekay · 13/07/2021 01:14

@TrixieLou thinking of your family. This is horrific. Sending you love, you must be going out of your mind.

SirenSays · 13/07/2021 01:22

This is terrifying, I'm so sorry to hear this. Thinking of your family and all those affected. Sending love and strength ❤️❤️❤️

Ohdofuckofdear · 13/07/2021 01:24

I am so sorry trixielou,I have prayed for your family and friends,I have prayed for your hometown.

I can't imagine what your going through or what your poor family are going through,I have just watched the video and it is equally as heartbreaking as it is terrifying,it's like something out of a horror movie.

I hope no more lifes are taken or harmed and I hope everyone starts getting help right away to stop this all.

Thinking if you all xx

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 13/07/2021 01:40

I hope you and all your family are safe as so sorry to hear of this civil unrest/war in your homeland.

I am flabbergasted and speechless but assuming this is because of the corruption issues with the former President.

Wishing you all the very best.

www.thesouthafrican.com/news/breaking-live-updates-latest-news-from-protests-and-looting-in-south-africa/

Allington · 13/07/2021 01:57

[quote JingsMahBucket]@Vinniepolis
but the fact they are rioting because the most corrupt politician in SA history has been sent to jail does my head in.

I’m sorry but racist murdering stealing apartheid and enslaving leaders for several hundred years would like to have a word with your inaccurate comment.[/quote]
Sadly this is an everyday reality for all too many in SA - who don't live in secure compounds, can't seal off roads, don't have cars or guns.

The violence is appalling, but a daily reality for many of the black urban population.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 13/07/2021 01:59

@TrixieLou

Thank you for your Facebook video. It makes for surreal viewing especially set to sad music. This is what happens when law and order disappears and poor people help themselves to what they want without any resistance. I am speechless and can only say that material goods can be replaced but personal harm and dangers are irreplaceable.

I wish you strength and may the army step in to restore some peace soon. My words may not be enough to provide much comfort as I think of the wonderful moments I previously enjoyed in Cape Town and Garden Route many many years ago before these current political issues. Heart breaking and sad beyond words…

GoBrookeYourself · 13/07/2021 02:10

I’m so sorry you and your family (and countless others) are going through this. Praying for safety and peace.

TrixieLou · 13/07/2021 07:58

@Allington are you South African?

OP posts:
TrixieLou · 13/07/2021 07:59

Once again, thank you all for your prayers and kind words. I appreciate you all so much.

The residents were successful in keeping them out of the residential areas but our home town is completely destroyed. There is nothing left.

OP posts:
shouldistop · 13/07/2021 08:32

I'm glad your family are safe op.

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 13/07/2021 08:38

I am so sorry I didn’t even know this was happening

Hope everything is ok with your family and that they are safe, and obviously everyone else in South Africa! 💐

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 13/07/2021 08:39

Oh good lord that will teach me not to read to the end

Sorry for my rudeness

Heartbreaking about your town

Peridot1 · 13/07/2021 08:48

I am sorry TrixieLou. That is awful.

Praying it all comes to an end. It’s senseless. It helps nobody. Whatever the whys and reasons this helps nobody.