NC ANC condemns violence and looting in KZN, Gauteng

THE ANC in the Northern Cape has expressed its disappointment with the ongoing looting and destruction of property in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga said on Monday that the incidents would have direct implications for the economy of the Northern Cape.

“This is regressive and will have a cataclysmic aftermath on the economy of the country. The ANC is racked with pain that many people will lose their jobs. We are already confronted with a huge unemployment catastrophe. More serious still, violent confrontation with law enforcement agencies will lead to unnecessary bloodshed and loss of lives. The ANC in the Province believes that the turbulence that is happening in KZN and Gauteng will have a direct bearing on the economy of the Province. The prosperity of the Province is inextricably linked to that of other provinces. The economic degeneration in the country will certainly have a domino effect on the economy of the Province,” said Ngxangxa.

He added that the looters, who are clearly not adhering to the Covid-19 regulations, also run the risk of getting infected and/or transmitting the virus.

“Huge gatherings that are taking place and the non-observance of Covid-19 protocols during this unrest will lead to the spread of the coronavirus, which is easily transmissible in its current form.”

Ngxangxa commended Northern Cape residents for remaining calm and not following the criminal example being set in KZN and Gauteng.

“We commend the people of the Province for remaining calm and for continuing to observe Covid Level 4 restrictions. This is the time that we need calm heads and not pandemonium in our Province.

“The premier and law enforcement agencies are urged to ensure that the citizens of the Province feel and are safe at all times,” concluded Ngxangxa.