The violence that has marred recent service-delivery protests cannot be justified, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said on Wednesday.
”While the commission recognises the right of any person to ‘assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions’ as integral to the functioning of our young democracy, inherent in this right is the respect for the rule of law, the rights of others and the spirit of the Constitution,” the commission said in a statement.
The Constitution also required that the right to protest be exercised in a peaceful manner and without carrying of weapons.
”Violence, the destruction of property and the threat to human life cannot be justified, irrespective of the circumstances.”
SAHRC staff had commenced visiting various communities that were affected by the current events.
”We will continue those visits in the coming weeks and expect to produce a report upon the conclusion of all such visits,” the commission said. — Sapa