The MK Party Youth League (MKPYL) vehemently condemns the unjust arrest of 30 courageous young people in Heidelberg, who were apprehended while exercising their constitutional right to protest against the catastrophic job losses that have left 32,000 young people destitute.
They were arrested on Thursday morning.
This blatant act of state repression is an assault on our youth’s right to demand dignity, employment, and a future worth living for.
“We are outraged that in a so-called democracy, the youth—already burdened by systemic unemployment, poverty, and economic exclusion—are being criminalized for raising their voices against the very injustices they are forced to endure,” said Sithembile Nkosi, Acting Secretary-General, MKPYL.
Nkosi said the arrest of these young protesters is nothing short of an attack on all young people in this country who refuse to be silenced in the face of oppression.
The MKPYL demands the immediate and unconditional release of all 30 detained youth.
“We will not tolerate the continued persecution of those who dare to challenge the status quo and fight for economic freedom.
These young people are not criminals; they are freedom fighters, carrying forward the legacy of our revolutionary struggle for equality and justice,” said Nkosi.
“We call on the government, law enforcement agencies, and all relevant authorities to cease this unwarranted clampdown on our youth and to address the real issues at hand—the rampant job losses and the failure of this government to provide meaningful opportunities for our young people.
If the state continues to treat our youth as enemies of the people, it will only deepen the crisis and ignite further unrest,” he said.
He said the MKPYL, standing in solidarity with the GYB youth, will not rest until justice is served.
We are prepared to mobilize our forces and escalate our actions should these demands be ignored.
The youth of this country will not be intimidated, and we will not back down.
We demand their release—NOW!