More unrest will scare off investors: Ballito mall co-owner
The co-owner of the Ballito Junction Mall on the north coast says they had not heard from the ANC Youth League regarding the development until three weeks ago.
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Pat Flanagan, chairperson of Flanagan and Gerard Property Development and Investment has been speaking to Newswatch after chaotic scenes unfolded when the league's members marched to the newly-opened mall in KwaDukuza yesterday - calling for an end to economic exclusion.
"They asked for a meeting and we met with them and the next thing, there's a march. It's very puzzling to us and we don't understand. It's quite a tragic situation for South Africa. Is this going to be the way to get people to work together?" he said.
ALSO READ: WATCH: ANCYL protesters charge onto premises of new Ballito mall
Flanagan believes the mall is being used as a political tool for reasons only known to the league.
"Our money is already invested. All the people out there who want to also invest in KwaDukuza will be turned away. It's just going to turn investors away and further frustrate the youth and their job opportunities," he said.
Angry marchers led by ANC Youth league enter Ballito Junction Mall with some throwing stones at security personnel. pic.twitter.com/VQdt22Hw55
— Steve Bhengu (@SteveBhengu) March 23, 2017
The youth league handed over a memorandum to management after a crowd of about 5000 protesters took part in the demonstration.
Meanwhile, KwaDukuza mayor - Ricardo Mthembu feels the protestors' demands are not unrealistic. Mthembu says they'll study the list of demands submitted by the ANCYL for two weeks before meeting with the body's leadership.
"If then throughout our discussion there's a challenge then we'll see what we'll do. The 14 days is to sit down and discuss and then identify the possible solutions on their demands. It's not a matter of implementing their demands," he said.