It has not been a pleasant week for the highly renowned fast-fashion Swedish brand after being slammed on social media for their controversial racist hoodie ad on their website. Unfortunately, attack on the label transitioned from verbal to physical after protestors trashed H&M stores in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday.

On January 8, H&M posted a photo on their online store of a black boy wearing a green hoodie that had text saying "coolest monkey in the jungle" which sparked tremendous controversy worldwide.

H&M stores ransacked in South Africa. Image courtesy of South Africa Trendolizer.

Despite the brand's apology on the website, universal outrage has not ceased, particularly in South Africa. Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a socialist political party initiated by the expelled head of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), protested outside H&M outlet stores, vandalizing displays, clothing rails, and mannequins.

H&M South Africa has yet to respond to this incident.

By: Franz Tabora