Increasing protests to hamper investment in S. Africa: business body

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) warned on Wednesday that an increase in the number of protest actions taking place in the country will hamper investment.

"South Africa desperately needs both domestic and foreign direct investment to enhance economic growth so as to create jobs and to eliminate poverty and inequality. Protest action accompanied by arson, intimidation and threats against life mitigate against investment decisions being taken," SACCI said in a statement issued in Johannesburg.

This came after a series of protests over poor service delivery had swept parts of the country.

"It is particularly worrying that South Africa is being dubbed the 'Protest Capital of the World,'" SACCI said.

In the latest protests, hundreds of residents in the townships of Letlhabile, Jericho, Damonsville and Maboloka near Brits, about 60 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg, on Wednesday barricaded roads and disrupted schooling and public transport amid a heavy police presence.

Some protesters burned tyres and threw rocks at passing vehicles, prompting police to intervene.

During the protest which erupted on Sunday over shortage of water, some foreign-owned shops were also looted.

Up till now, about 26 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in acts of violence and will be charged with public violence and malicious damage to property, police said.

"While the right to protest is recognized, the destruction of infrastructure, schools and clinics and to intimidate must not be construed as an inherent right when protesting," SACCI Acting CEO Peggy Drodskie said.

"SACCI calls on all protesters to consider the consequences of their actions and on the social partners - business, government, labor and community - to draw attention to the undesirable consequences of violence during protests, and on the security services to apprehend perpetrators so as to discourage unconstitutional behavior," she said.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has made strides in improving housing while expanding access to clean water and electricity. But many South Africans still live in shacks without power, often sharing a single tap among dozens of households. Endi