ANC NATIONAL YOUTH TASK TEAM STATEMENT ON ONGOING UNREST IN THE COUNTRY

13 July 2021

The African National Congress Youth National Youth Task Team (ANC NYTT) is deeply concerned about the ongoing unrest in certain parts of the country of which the innocent, poor and marginalized majority have regrettably been most affected by.

It is a fact that our economy which already excludes the black majority of this country has ultimately led to the fertile grounds for the explosion we witness at present. This is further compounded by rampant corruption and lack of basic service delivery which has left our people destitute.

This situation has been exacerbated by COVID-19 and the loss of livelihoods we have observed since the pandemic. With the already alarming high rates of unemployment particularly among young people, the few young people who have jobs will lose them with no hope of earning a living in the near future.

Whereas the ANC NYTT admits these challenges as underlying ingredients for growing youth impatience; we condemn in the strongest of terms the criminal elements that have sought to hijack protests which started as demonstrations of grievances and frustrations as a result of the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma.

This has led to an outbreak in violent action, looting of businesses, destruction of property and most regrettably loss of lives. Beyond the economic ramifications these events will lead to, the much-needed roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines will also be affected which directly affects the saving of lives.

The ANC NYTT is of the view that both the ANC and its government have been found wanting on the matter, as this situation should have been anticipated and handled better both at a political as well as at state law enforcement level.

Political leaders should never outsource their responsibility to the state to provide much needed leadership in communities. We therefore call on ANC and ANCYL leaders to descend upon communities to engage people on their concerns and frustrations. No peace and stability will be brought without engagement with those affected.

The ANC NYTT is not satisfied with the lack of Public Order Police deployments we have witnessed in the last couple of days. Police officers were wholly outnumbered and, in some instances, depended on private security companies to restore order. We have further noted the announcement of the deployment of the SANDF of which in our view could have been avoided had our Public Order Police adequately prepared for these events that have unfolded.

The ANC NYTT calls for calm in our communities. We further call upon peace loving South Africans to isolate criminal elements and cooperate with state agencies.

Lastly, the ANC NYTT warns government that the ticking time bomb of youth unemployment is self-detonating. The moment has arrived for government to create an enabling environment for youth development and a clear policy advancement for the resolution of the triple challenges of inequality, poverty, and unemployment.