Hon Chairperson, the UDM condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack on a BRT bus in Soweto last night. It is of deep concern that the shots that injured two passengers were allegedly fired from a taxi. We are relieved that nobody died in the incident, but the perpetrators of this crime must nevertheless be found swiftly and face justice. Once again, this highlights the growing impunity in our society where differences and arguments are not settled through dialogue and communication, but through aggression and violence.
As a country, we should be eternally on guard against this type of mindset. The base of a constitutional democracy is dialogue. Unfortunately, whether it is service delivery protests, labour disputes or major government decisions, we witness a tendency to resort to violence. This growing culture of impunity can only be countered by a style of governance that is open, consultative and responsive. People need to feel that they have real influence in government through dialogue, and there will be those who resort to violent forms of expressions. Thank you, Chairperson.