Sasolburg: An undisciplined society destroys itself

In the midst of the dramatic events in Sasolburg, the ANC finds time to criticise the FNB advertisement campaign, but does not find the time to condemn without qualification the violence and plundering taking place in Sasolburg.

The plundering taking place in Sasolburg is inexcusable and has to be condemned in the strongest terms possible. It does not make any sense to plunder innocent shop owners in a criminal manner and cause them to suffer huge damages because one is angry with the government. The methods the ANC used during the ‘struggle' years are now being used against them.

The events in Sasolburg and De Doorns, but also earlier in Carletonville and Marikana attests of an undisciplined society which believes that all problems can be solved by violence and destruction. As long as this undisciplined behaviour and violence are not unequivocally condemned by ANC leaders and punished, the plundering of shops, the burning down of buildings and killing of opponents will continue. The message the protestors are getting at the moment is that this type of behaviour is rewarded in that the government gives immediate attention to the problems while peaceful democratic representations do not illicit any reaction.

With the recent tsunami in Japan, huge damage was caused to buildings and shops. In a disciplined society such as Japan, no plundering took place. An undisciplined society, as we are experiencing at present in South Africa, destroys itself in the long term. Only effective police action, more discipline on all levels but especially strong and responsible leadership, can prevent it.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Mulder, FF Plus leader, January 22 2013

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