Whose Rights Matter More? SERI's Insane Legal War on Common Sense Promotes

The central question in Johannesburg's inner city has become dangerously clear: Whose rights matter more? Is it the rights of law-abiding South African citizens and formal business owners, or the 'rights' of those who promote chaos and anarchy?

For years, residents and legitimate businesses around De Villiers Street have been held hostage by rampant, unregulated street trading. They have faced daily grime, obstruction, and a complete breakdown of public order, allegedly dominated by illegal foreign nationals operating entirely outside the law.

When the City of Johannesburg and the JMPD finally acted on common sense and began enforcing the city's own by-laws, it was a sign of hope. It was a logical step to restore order, safety, and fairness.

But in a move that defies all logic, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) has declared a legal war on the City of Johannesburg. They have dragged the City to court, not to uphold the law, but to protect the very lawlessness and anarchy that has crippled the CBD.

This legal challenge is absurd. The City's officials are simply applying basic common sense: public streets cannot be illegally occupied. Criminality cannot be allowed to hide behind a veil of "informal trade."

By intervening, SERI is effectively promoting a two-tier system: one where South Africans must follow the law, and another where illegal actors are protected by NGOs. This raises a serious question: Who is SERI actually serving? Are they protecting South Africans, or are they providing legal cover for illegal immigrants and the criminal elements that flourish in such chaos?

This isn't just a legal challenge; it's a sacrifice of Joburg's citizens. By constantly challenging enforcement, organisations like SERI are not promoting rights; they are enabling illegality.

It is high time that SERI and its backers are investigated. Their mandate and funding must be scrutinised. An organisation that uses the law to undermine the law, and which consistently places the interests of illegal actors above those of the citizenry, has lost its way and must be held accountable.

The City of Johannesburg is fighting for the law-abiding majority. It is a fight for common sense over chaos, and it is a fight they must win.