ANC CONDEMNS VIOLENCE OUTSIDE LUTHULI HOUSE

The African National Congress (ANC) strongly condemns as totally unacceptable, wanton acts of criminality and hooliganism we witnessed today outside our headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House, perpetrated by an unruly mob of people claiming to be "ANC Youth League members".

The question we ask ourselves is whether these people who have the audacity to burn the ANC flag, posters with the face of ANC President Jacob Zuma and other leaders of the movement, launch attack on police officers, hawkers and journalists, qualify to regard themselves as members of the African National Congress or any of its leagues.

The movement has been totally shocked and finds it totally unacceptable, criminal acts of violence, which have included the throwing of rocks at motorists and members of the public. Not only is this kind of behaviour unacceptable and criminal, but it also flies in the face of all values and discipline of the ANC and all its leagues.

We would like to thank members of the South African Police Service and Johannesburg Metro Police for the sterling role they have played in ensuring the safety of all motorists, journalists, pedestrians and for securing our headquarters. We are equally pleased with the measure of restraint that the police have used and continue to use in conducting their work.

It is our view that those who have taken the responsibility to mobilise the crowds to gather outside Luthuli House - the leadership of the ANC Youth League - should also take full responsibility for the violence, criminality and ill-discipline that has accompanied these crowds.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, August 30 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter