The SA Human Rights Commission must make a conscious effort to distinguish the actions of the perpetrators of violence in Phoenix during the July unrest from those of the community as a whole.

This is the appeal from a social cohesion group, made up of “progressive organisations and individuals from KwaZulu-Natal, many of who have a history of involvement in the SA struggle for national liberation”.

Representing the group before the commission’s hearing into the July unrest on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal economic development, tourism and environmental affairs MEC Ravi Pillay read out its submission...