#PleaseCallMe Movement Open Letter: Makate vs Vodacom

On May 15, 2025

The #PleaseCallMe case illustrates how financial influence can be used to hinder, direct, disregard, and undermine the country’s laws. It is generally recognised that the issue has been extensively ventilated and Nkosana Makate has consistently come out on top, with nine favorable decisions, yet the principle of RES JUDICATA does not seem to be invoked. We are sitting on the sidelines watching as time goes by. While it seems difficult to get to the end. My worry in all this is the social contract. How are we encouraged to obey the law when we publicly observe it being abused like this and for so long? (Makate has been in courts since a child was in grade 1; now they are doing their first year in varsity.)

We are being taken advantage of; we feel insulted and are growing impatient with the process. Our only sin is adhering to the law. We have made it clear from the beginning that our enemy is Vodacom and its arrogant CEO. We worked very hard and kept all our demonstrations peaceful. We raised our frustration at their premises, JSE, ConCourt, etc. No single incident of/or damage to property was reported. Everyone expected us to act like hooligans. They couldn’t wait to dismiss and immediately discredit the movement. In hindsight, maybe we should have been violent, damaged some property, burned tyres, closed the streets, looted the shops, etc. It is the language that the Corporate bourgeoisie understands. It is expected of us to stoop that low.

But what would that have done for Makate? Remember, he is the litigant here. The focus should be on him and the strides he has already made on this matter single-handedly. We’re not a rent-a-crowd. We are the #Pleasecallme movement formed and intended to highlight the plight and the injustice faced by Makate and others like him. He didn’t ask nor solicit our support, so we therefore cannot and would not destroy his case for popularity.

While Makate is subdued in the legal process one cannot ignore but question “Where are the leaders of society?” Be they political or otherwise. Why is this guy ignored like this. What are we afraid of? Losing a deal or job opportunity? Who is next then?

NB: To put it into perspective, my child was not yet conceived when PCM was introduced; now she’s a doctor. That’s how long the matter has been dragging.

LM Setoaba

Convener

#PleaseCallMe Movement

Crédito: Link de origem