DA condemns COSATU violence at Youth Wage Subsidy March 

Today we marched for a Youth Wage Subsidy that would create more than 420 000 new jobs for young South Africans. 

Just like COSATU is blocking our proposal for a Youth Wage Subsidy, COSATU tried to block our march by throwing bricks and rocks at DA supporters. 

A number of DA supporters, many of whom are unemployed, have been injured. They didn't deserve to be attacked for supporting a policy that would create jobs and change lives. COSATU's conduct today was anti-democratic and has no place in South Africa. 

We note that the COSATU leadership have not condemned the violence that was perpetrated by their members, who obviously took their cue from Irvin Jim who declared that today would mark the beginning of "open political warfare". 

We note too that COSATU, unlike the DA, did not have permission to stage a gathering today. 

We will not be intimidated by COSATU's criminal behaviour. 

We will be laying criminal charges against COSATU's leadership for intimidation, inciting violence, and holding an illegal gathering. We will also be studying footage of the march and laying individual charges of assault against those COSATU members who perpetrated the violence. 

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA National Spokesperson, May 15 2012

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