HIGHVELD – The march to the Mshininiwami Training Centre on Monday began peacefully, but ended with violence, vandalism and bloodshed.
Marchers began throwing stones at police officers and security guards.
The security guards retaliated by shooting with paint ball guns, while the police were using rubber bullets.
The marchers dispersed into two groups.
One headed to Secunda and the other group to Evander.
They ran into a field and torched it and put stones on the roads.
They also vandalised road signs on their way to Secunda and Evander.
The marchers got furious when police officers told them there was no one to receive their memorandum.
Read more: WATCH: Youth protest against Mshiniwami Artisan Academy
Arriving at the Mshiniwami Training Academy earlier, they were welcomed by placards believed to be left by management that said: “Gone fishing in support of human rights.”
The marchers set them alight.
“We have been shot at by the police and security guards, but what have we done?
“We fight for our rights as the youth, but the law enforcers are fighting the battles of the capitalists.
“The academy does not take us serious and instead of helping us, they claim they have gone fishing in support of human rights.
“Fishing? Which human rights are they talking about?
“This not over, we are coming back,” said an angry marcher.
The march began at the Secunda Cemetery and hundreds of youths led by Ithemba labasha Youth Forum were hoping to deliver a memorandum to Mr Jose Maciel, founder of Hydra-Arc Group.
In their memorandum, they said they have been patient enough and tolerated mediocracy to prevail in their presence.
They said they are sick and tired of the heartless ways and maximum exploitations of young people by Hydra-Arc Group.
The marchers are demanding 60 per cent local youth employment and 30 per cent procurement of the local youth.
Mr Zenzele Mnguni, Ithemba labasha Youth Forum, said they demand fair treatment of all students.
“We demand a full stipend for students and back pay.
“The accreditation of certificates must be clear and the student facilities must be upgraded.
“Regarding employment, we demand that foreigners are the last option and the youth is a priority.
“We demand one per cent of the profit to sponsor youth development programmes.”
The marchers also slammed the mayor, Ms Flora Maboa-Boltman, and said she is not attending to their issues, but is playing golf with the exploiters.
“Our next stop will be Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“We are coming for this mayor and she must explain some of the things to us.”
The conveners said they were not pleased with the behaviour of the police and guards and said some of the youths were injured.
Police were not available for comment.
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