No freedom right to destroy, says Premier
THE community has the right to protest, but burning and destroying of government infrastructure is not acceptable.
That was the message of
KZN Premier, Willies Mchunu, speaking during the Freedom Day celebration held at Enzalabantu in Mzingazi outside Richards Bay on Friday.
‘We are not saying people should not air their unhappiness, but destroying roads with burning tyres and burning down libraries and other government infrastructure is taking us backwards.
‘Freedom goes with a responsibility, so we need to play our part, and as the government we are doing everything in our power to help our people,’ he said.
Mchunu also warned that the fight against HIV/AIDS will not be won if men do not change their mentality.
‘The government has worked very hard to ensure that health facilities are available, but we have noted people will wait until they are severely sick before going to the clinic.
‘Our government made free condoms available to everyone, but men still have unprotected sex, get infected with HIV and then spread it to their wives.’
The Premier urged the community to work collectively to fight crime in their area.
‘It is easy to identify criminals. We live with these people and as a community we need to work together with Izinduna and Amakhosi to ensure we don’t allow criminal activities in our areas.
‘Freedom goes with a responsibility to play our part in fighting crime,’ he said.
Delivering a message of support, the provincial chairperson of traditional leaders, Inkosi Phathekile Chiliza appreciated the unity and peace that has been shown by the political parties in the province.
‘ I must applaud our government for the development that I have seen in our areas. But I must also state that the government needs to focus more on economic transformation because political freedom without economic freedom is meaningless,’ he said.