S. African president calls on youths to help end violent protests

South African President Jacob Zuma on Saturday highlighted the role of youths in ending violent protests in the run-up to local government elections.

The youths have the responsibility to help restore order and end the violent protests and looting in which some young people participate, Zuma said while addressing thousands of people at a youth rally at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban, eastern South Africa.

The rally, organized by the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), was part of the national Youth Month activities.

The youths should demonstrate their leadership and readiness to lead the country by fighting the demons of racism and tribalism, promoting stability and order and to end the violent protests, Zuma said.

He was speaking after violent protests swept several townships in Pretoria over the past few days.

The protests were sparked by the ANC decision to place former cabinet minister Thoko Didiza as its candidate for Pretoria mayor to replace current mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa in the local government elections scheduled for August 3.

The protesters are unhappy with Didiza and preferred Ramokgopa as their mayor. But the ANC said it would not change its candidate.

At least five people have been killed during the protests. Dozens of houses and buses burned, and numerous shops looted.

Speaking at the rally, ANCYL Secretary General Njabulo Nzuza said the ANCYL has a role to educate the youth against the destroying of property.

"You have people burning schools and people now looting taverns; those are criminal activities. The role of the youth league is to make sure that we mobilise young people to make sure they refrain from those things," Nzuza said.

"There are genuine ways to raise your issues and process them, not by burning things," he added.

Sporadic acts of violence were still reported in some parts of Pretoria, but relative calm has returned to most areas, police said. Enditem