Election campaigning set to be fiery

Editor

REFLECTING on Monday’s violent events in Durban North – the road closures and tyre burning, the wanton acts of desecration and destruction of cars, shops and factory buildings, at how so many factories couldn’t open or operate today – I’m struck by the awful truth that so many people either couldn’t get to work or get out to do their work, at such terrible cost to our already fragile economy.

I’m also struck by the level of violent attacks on innocent people and the even greater number of threats of further violence.

Most of all I’m concerned that most of today’s unhappiness stems from the fact that ANC councillors (not voters) have found themselves suddenly no longer on the list for re-election. They’re angry and desperate because they know only too well what losing a place on the gravy train means to them and their families.

We haven’t even begun to experience the kind of demonstrations, protest actions, shut-downs, marches, destruction and violence that millions and millions of desperately unhappy, over-promised and under-delivered former ANC voters are about to rain down on the country – probably egged on by the EFF.

And we’re still only in early June. There’s still another eight weeks of electioneering to go. Better batten down the hatches and stay at home – at least we won’t have to be subjected to all the goo and gore and bloodshed on SABC TV news every night. It’s going to be a fiery campaign.

Mark Lowe
Durban