Johannesburg – The African National Congress (ANC) treasurer general Zweli Mkhize told party supporters attending the Limpopo ANC local government elections manifesto rally at Monsterlus Stadium in Sekhukhune, that the “destruction of public property is a heinous crime”.
Speaking on Sunday, Mkhize condemned recent violent community protests in Vuwani in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo, where the community objected to the Municipal Demarcation Board’s decision to merge Makhado and Malamulele.
Ensuing protests resulted in massive destruction of property including the torching of 23 schools, some of them were burnt to the ground.
The ANC treasurer general condemned destruction of property and schools during protests and further called on authorities to bring perpetrators of such crimes to book.
Mkhize said no amount of dissatisfaction and frustration justifies destruction of children’s future and that of the country.
“We have been greatly disturbed by the massive destruction of schools in Vuwani. Destruction of schools is to gamble with the future of our children and the future of South Africa … communities must rise against this kind of vandalism,” said Mkhize.
“Differences of opinion or disagreement with government decisions are a standard feature of democracy, however, it cannot be that every time we disagree we destroy infrastructure and disrupt services.
“No issue should ever be so important that we disrupt the education of our children and destroy our infrastructure, our children’s education is sacrosanct.”
Mkhize, who was the main speaker at the event, warned ANC supporters against resorting to violence. He urged them to continuously effect tolerance and discipline, particularly those party members who did not make it onto the candidate lists for the local government elections.
He said violence has no place in a democratic society.
“Our constitution protects the right to peaceful protest and violence is an infringement of the constitution; no any person has a right to a protest that undermines the rights of others to leave in peace and security,” said Mkhize.
African News Agency