PORT ELIZABETH, October 25 - President Jacob Zuma on Sunday criticised students who resorted to violence during Friday’s protest at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and earlier last week at Parliament in Cape Town.
“We thank all students who adhered to the Constitution of the Republic by marching and gathering peacefully,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery at the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture in Port Elizabeth.
“The right to assemble, protest, and express ourselves is guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic. There is no need to resort to violence, including the destruction of property when exercising this right,” he said.
“Violence of the nature seen outside the Union Buildings and as well as in the parliamentary precinct is unacceptable and undermines the campaign which, as we said, seeks action that is in line with ANC policy.
“We look forward to working with the universities, including especially student leadership, as we address the transformation issues and build universities that would reflect the needs of a non-racial, non-sexist developmental state,” Zuma said.
The ANC would continue to invest in the youth and support them in their development and growth, as they were the future of the country.
“We will continue the quest for economic freedom, so that all the developmental goals of our country are achieved,” he said.
African News Agency (ANA)
