The IFP reiterate its stance against culture of property destruction and looting during violent service delivery protest as people emulates an old tactic used by the ANC in the past of communicating its frustrations through burning of infrastructure.
The President of the IFP Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been always vocal in condemning the destruction of property and looting and now the chickens have come home to roost. This comes after we have witnessed a growing trend of these disruptive culture of violent service delivery protest and looting latest being the one took place in the N2 near Zamimpilo, Mtubatuba where two trucks were torched and some looted.
“The IFP recognises the legitimate concerns of the citizens of this country as their right to protest as enshrined in South African Bill of Rights of the Constitution. However, the IFP emphasises that the right to protest does not extend to the burning of people’s private property or government property. Such acts of violence negatively impact on our economy and scare off businesses and potential investors. I believe we need much harsher punishment against hooligans that destroy property and loot,” said IFP National Chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala, MPL.
“Burning of infrastructure has become a fashion as many people think that it is not a protest without destroying properties and looting. If people are not happy with government’s delivery of basic services, they must be patriotic and not damage public property.
We urged residents to table their concerns through appropriate channels so that they can be addressed amicably without resorting to violence,” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL
IFP National Chairperson
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