He does not need a scientific investigation to find out why South Africans are prone to arson, vandalism or violence, President Jacob Zuma said in a written reply to Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota.

He knows the cause, and it was called apartheid, the president answered with conviction.

He was responding to a written question from Congress of the People leader Lekota on whether he intended to initiate a scientific investigation to get to the root causes for the violent flare-ups in the country.

“The widespread incidents of violence and destruction of property during protests is a cause for major concern,” Zuma said. “The violence in our society is inherited from the violence perpetrated during the apartheid system and the violence [sic] response it engendered.”

He said the next step would not be to commission more studies into the violence, as research had already been undertaken by various entities.

“What is important is taking steps to turn the tide against violent protests and the destruction of property,” he said.

Zuma said government would implement a number of initiatives in 2016 to address the matter. These would include educating civil society about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

He said studies showed that violence in society affected mostly women and children.

“Government will use the year 2016, which is the 60th anniversary of the Women’s March to the Union Buildings, to mobilise society against violence that is committed against women and children,” Zuma said in the written reply. News24