MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY

13 July 2021

In the past days, acts of violence, malicious damage of menacing flames of trucks and buildings, vandalism and the looting of shops, sparked in parts of Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng. This was also adopted in some parts of the Mpumalanga province. The results of these acts will negatively impact the economy, escalate the unemployment rate, disrupt the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine and the education programmes. The outcome of this will be a rapid increase of the COVID-19 infections, loss of life and the overbudden of health facilities.

Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane condemns the acts of vandalism and looting. She says it is the responsibility of every citizen to protect and look after the property that caters for their needs. “We commend those citizens who acted with restraint and refrained from the unwarranted acts of looting and vandalism. These include business owners, working closely with taxi associations and all stakeholders. Their partnership contributed against the propagation of violence in Mpumalanga,” says the Premier.

She says vandalism and looting is a serious set back against government’s efforts to improve the economy. “Our economy has plunged into stagnation owing to a number of factors. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, leaving many people jobless. We urge all citizens to rally behind the President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for calm and peace and to channel our energies towards rebuilding the economy,” she says.

As the country marks July, which was declared the Mandela month, in honour of the late President, Mr Nelson Mandela, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government urges citizens not to be part of riotous behavior, but focus on keeping safe from the COVID-19 pandemic by constantly washing their hands, sanitize, wear their masks at all times, social distance and adher to all the level 4 lockdown regulations. “Let us all stand together and say NO TO VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY IN MPUMALANGA,” Mtshweni-Tsipane concluded.


Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Enquiries:

(A) Provincial Government Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za