Alarm bells sound over SA’S economic security

ALARM bells are sounding that South Africa is on the brink of an economic war, which threatens the country’s security.

With violent protests getting out of control, experts, intelligence agents and security unions warn of the impending danger, with fears of further casualties.

The fears come as axed ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, who is allegedly inciting the violent protests, encouraged soldiers outside Johannesburg this week to fight for decent wages and improved conditions.

The Defence Ministry slammed his meeting, which saw military bases placed on high alert, as incitement.

Institute of Strategic Studies Professor Michael Hough said the country was in an economic war.

“We should be gravely concerned. Economic warfare underlies a vast amount of polit- ical conflict.”

Hough said the biggest problem was the politicising of wage-increase demands and working conditions.

“General strikes are . . . the cause of economic collapse which, if infused with politics as is happening, become an uncontrollable revolutionary force.”

He said while a wage strike could be resolved, it was vir-

‘ What we are seeing now is becoming worse. People will die

tually impossible to resolve politicised mass action disputes, “which are becoming more violent”.

“What we are seeing now is becoming worse. People will die. With the country barely able to support the 15 million people currently on welfare, there is growing dissent especially among the unemployed.”

Hough said leadership changes would not help.

“The problem is bigger than leaders. It requires stringent good governance policies to address the crisis of poor skills development and corruption – driving factors in a revolution.”

SA Security Forces Union president Bheki Mvovo said information from their members showed Malema was ready to sponsor an Arab Spring-type uprising in South Africa.

Popcru spokesman Theto Mahlakoana said: “We are aware of his plot . . . The police must arrest him for inciting violence and instability.” But SANDF spokesman Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga said the military command was in control.

Economist Mike Schussler said should the economy grind to a complete halt the cost would be about R8.2-billion a day – the daily gross domestic product.