Mr Speaker, recently striking workers trashed our streets, looted businesses and pelted our police with missiles. Earlier this week, demonstrators in Johannesburg again caused an estimated R30 million of damage. The vandalism and intimidation, which have become part of practically every strike and demonstration, are cause for serious concern. Unions are denying responsibility, saying that their members are not responsible. Those who called for support this week are also denying responsibility.
South Africa is in the news for the wrong reasons. We appear to be showing the world that we are a country of violence and ill discipline and that our people have no respect for our police and for people in authority.
Instead, South Africa needs to build confidence. We need to show the world that we are not a country of mayhem on our streets. We need to show the world that we are a country filled with excellent promises. We need to show the world that we are a country with a golden future. Let us therefore all stand together to condemn all these wanton, needless acts of violence on our streets and demand action from the government.