Government condemnation of protestors' behaviour

Looting condemned by government after violent Cape Town protest. Image: Africa Check

The protest over housing and land took a turn for the worse when groups of protestors broke away from the main crowd and engaged in criminal activities.

Government said in a statement released on Thursday (31 October) that it commends the South African Police Services for their quick response in arresting some of the alleged perpetrators, adding that it has full confidence that the law will take its course.

Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) chief executive, Phumla Williams, said: "While every citizen has the constitutional right to protest, it must be done within the ambit of the law and not infringe the rights of others. The implications of such criminal behaviour have a ripple effect on the lives of the victims."

Phumla Williams. Image GCIS

She said government will not tolerate the destruction of property belonging to informal traders as this provides the livelihood of thousands of people in the Western Cape and across the country.

"Even small informal traders contribute immensely to improving the country's economic goals. Criminal acts of this nature create an added burden on attempts to alleviate unemployment. Furthermore, many families depend on this income," said Williams.

She reiterated that the destruction of property, looting of goods and violent acts during protests will not be tolerated as government has created platforms for engagements with communities such as Imbizos and community forums.