Update On the Magruders

Friends: In lieu of a column to you this week, I thought I’d make sure you all saw this post from Wes and Leah Magruder, which Wes made yesterday. (I’ll provide a brief update at the end…)

With his permission, here’s an update from Wes:

“I don't post often, but feel the need to let you know what is happening in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where Leah and I work at Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary.

Last Wednesday evening, former President Jacob Zuma turned himself in to police and started serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. It's a long story, but during his nine-year presidency, he oversaw widespread theft and personal appropriation of state funds. A commission was formed to investigate his potential crimes, but he refused to appear and defend himself, and thus was sentenced for contempt of court. 

His base of support, mostly located in the province of KwaZulu Natal (where we live), reacted with violent protests, blocking roads, etc. But the protest has now become a wave of widespread looting and destruction across the province.

The unrest is the result of a perfect storm of COVID's third wave, a lack of vaccines, high unemployment, economic malaise, corruption, and governmental incompetence.

But the unrest has come to Pietermaritzburg since yesterday. Two malls were burned yesterday, shops were looted throughout the day and night, and this morning I woke up with another shopping center burning a short distance away from our apartment.

The police are simply outnumbered; the looting is going on in broad daylight in front of TV cameras. The army has been called into KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces, but until they get here, it will be chaotic.

The seminary is closed until further notice, and I am hunkered down at home. I'm safe, so please don't worry about me. 

Leah, meanwhile, is still in Round Rock, Texas, where she has been sitting on hospice with her father for the last several months. Two nights ago, she developed severe kidney stones and had to be admitted into the hospital. I'm waiting on news from her, while also monitoring the situation here. 

There is nothing that anyone needs to do, except keep us in your prayers, and most of all, pray for South Africa, which is a beautiful, diverse, complicated, and beloved country.

— Rev. Wes Magruder”

UPDATE: I just got off a call with Wes, moments ago. It was good to hear his voice. He reports that things today seem much better. The Army has arrived and he feels that the immediate danger has passed. Despite it all, Wes continues to report being very glad to be there in S.A.

I told him that all of KPUMC continues to keep he and Leah in our prayers during this challenging time…EF