Former President Thabo Mbeki has voiced deep concern over the disturbing levels of violence in South Africa, especially targeting young people. Speaking during a discussion with students at UNISA in Pretoria on Wednesday, Mbeki highlighted the excessive violence plaguing the nation.
“I have been saying to people that this country, for some reason, is exceedingly violent. The levels of violence against individuals are too high,” Mbeki stated.
He noted with alarm the high rates of violence among young people, emphasizing that for those up to 29 years old, unnatural causes of death are the leading cause. “The number of young men and women who are killed is intolerably high,” Mbeki said, calling attention to the severe impact of violence on this age group.