ANCYL blames DA for march clashes

Reuters

A policeman (R) keeps watch as angry COSATU supporters chant slogans during a march by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg. Photo: Reuters

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 The ANC Youth League has blamed the DA for attacks that took place during a youth wage subsidy march organised by the opposition party in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

“The provocations by members of the Democratic Alliance are unwarranted and the African National Congress Youth League strongly condemns the violence displayed,” ANCYL spokeswoman Magdalene Moonsamy said on Wednesday.

“We are appalled by the violent nature and unruly attacks caused by the march on members of the public, workers and leaders of Cosatu and ANCYL.”

Moonsamy said the DA had confirmed that it was an organisation advancing the “perpetuation of slavery” by defending labour brokers.

“The march was an outright staging of the DA's white monopoly capital tendencies towards eroding the role played by labour unions in enriching the lives of the poorest of the poor.”

The league said the violence could have been avoided as the march was supposed to have stopped at the Joburg Theatre.

It proceeded to Cosatu House instead, leading to the clashes.

Rocks and chunks of cement flew through the air as DA marchers and members of the Congress of SA Trade Unions came head to head in Braamfontein. - Sapa