“While the right to protest is a right that is guaranteed to all, no one person or group has the right to kill, destroy, steal, and burn down the businesses and property of others while endangering their fellow citizens.
“These actions, we condemn in the strongest terms and appeal to political and community leaders to lead by example in quelling the unrest and supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to restore order. “In times like these there are no winners or losers. We must stand together as South Africans to denounce the violence and lawlessness that has gripped our cities while simultaneously and urgently addressing the inequality, joblessness and systemic exclusion that has relegated millions of our people to the margins of society.
The SAIBPP has called on President Ramaphosa and the relevant law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in bringing to book those responsible for violating the law. “We also call on the property sector to stand together during this difficult time to help support government in minimizing further damage to property and restoring order.”