Upated at 14:00
Pretoria – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party members have stormed H&M stores around the country, apparently protesting against the recent advertising campaign by the company.
H&M stores affected: pic.twitter.com/NxuTZ0qnTV
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 13, 2018
The retailer had used a black child to model a sweatshirt with the slogan “coolest monkey in the jungle”.
H&M later removed the advert and apologised for any offense caused.
— H&M (@hm) January 9, 2018
Video footage of the protests has surfaced on social media depicting the large groups destroying the store’s property at shopping centres in Menlyn and Midrand as well as Sandton.
EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu congratulated members for physically confronting racism.
That @hm nonsense of a clothing store is now facing consequences for its racism. All rational people should agree that the store should not be allowed to continue operating in South Africa. Well done to Fighters who physically confronted racism. pic.twitter.com/cgdedYGoOj
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) January 13, 2018
Videos circulating around on social media show EFF members singing and dancing outside stores in Sandton, Menlyn and Mall of the South.
Eff protest @ H&M Sandton city pic.twitter.com/gEadFrTw7n
— Sibongiseni (@Sbobo_Mav) January 13, 2018
#H&M @mall of the south @effjoburg pic.twitter.com/yipz8hliqy
— EFFWard 54 (@EFFWard54) January 13, 2018
So this is H&M at Menlyn… a group of people are vandalizing and just throwing clothes around. #ANC106 pic.twitter.com/1S4edBabyS
— Mukololo ® (@DineoDeeMash2) January 13, 2018
Sandton City H&M. Right now!!! EFF boycotting “monkey” sweater. pic.twitter.com/wjjQCM9IAq
— Buhle Manyathi (@B_Manyathi) January 13, 2018
Happening right now in Century City, Cape Town. Protests outside the store, inside Canal Walk mall. #hmProtest #HM #hm @enca pic.twitter.com/SI7S0qqq1A
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) January 13, 2018
Mannequins and clothes could be seen scattered on the floor and the doors of various stores were shut.
Protests are also taking at other malls nationwide, including Mall of the South, Mall of Africa, Clearwater and East Rand Mall.
Community leaders from opposition parties have condemned the act, calling it barbaric and uncivilised as the economy needs civilised mediums to handle civilised issues and not one as portrayed by the EFF that can affect the business prospects of South Africa to the world.
Some Tweets supported the assertion of the leaders:
So instead of fighting at their level you’re just going to vandalize stores and establishments? Spread violence and fear? Oh, ok.
Just misrepresent us all as savages then. https://t.co/ocRq309Cqx
— PEARL THUSI (@PearlThusi) January 13, 2018
H&M: We must all stand up against racism. Protest should be peaceful. This violence must be condemned and let’s hope authorities take decisive action. @MmusiMaimane @MbalulaFikile @GP_CommSafety @MakeSAsafe pic.twitter.com/hhw1Db4WqG
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 13, 2018
The same EFF justifying violent protest against H&M is the same EFF that lambasted SAPS for responding violently to Marikana protest. The very same. If the hypocrisy is lost on u then i have no words for u
— Flopo Ya Mampela II (@OwaFlopo) January 13, 2018
What happens if H&M pulls out of South Africa. Will the EFF compensate employees for loss of income?
— TheColouredZimbo (@_BeardGod) January 13, 2018
H&M store given 24 hours to close their doors or riots will continue. This is where the cops should get involved and arrest every single criminal protestor who vandalises the stores. The fact they’re standing by and allowing it to proceed shows lack of policing ability. pic.twitter.com/SQybItHSgN
— PigSpotter™ Pty Ltd (@PigSpotter) January 13, 2018
The H&M STORE that The EFF is trashing is a franchise owned by someone. I believe the owner isn’t the One who gave the green light to the racist ad. This action is from corporate!! Trash their offices and not the store
— TheFreedomTatGuy (@Thabang_Monesi) January 13, 2018
Eff protest actions @ hm is so unnecessary. Didn’t see any of them protesting @ Unilever HQ for dove or Nivea racist ads.
— Du Caviar (@iiamlandry) January 13, 2018
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