Why protesters often have no other choice but to burn public property

Every time protests break out in South Africa, talk commences about how idiotic it is for people to burn and destroy property, especially in their own communities.

This has been the case with the protests that have flared up in Orlando this week over the installation of prepaid electricity meters. Here are some of the dominant comments on Twitter:

What sense prevail in parents who stop their kids from getting an education because they want cheaper electricity?Madness! #Orlandoprotest

— nkele malefetse (@neria_m) May 7, 2015

Protesting against #PrepaidElectricityMeters? Really? #OrlandoProtest

— Nthibane Letswamotse (@Nthi1) May 6, 2015

#OrlandoProtest we need to change they way we protest people, there are now platforms

— AFRIKA (@PeezyMabena) May 7, 2015

Why do South Africans always have to behave like lawless thugs when we are unhappy about something? #OrlandoProtest#disgusting@RediTlhabi

— Russell Pollitt, SJ (@rpollittsj) May 7, 2015

My fear is that this protest in #OrlandoProtest will spill over in the rest of Soweto - Phela my people make everything a trend.

— buhle Sibeko (@zzbuhlesibeko) May 7, 2015

Whether it be service delivery, salary increases, sanitation or housing – this is often the response to protests in this country. However we rarely acknowledge that more often than not, people don’t wake up with fire in the minds and anger in their hearts. It takes a considerable amount of time for that to happen. Kuthiwa indlala ibanga ulaka (they say that hunger breeds anger).

Before it does, meetings are usually held, peaceful marches are conducted and memorandums are handed over to councillors and mayors – all leading to no action.

When I worked as a news journalist, I saw many instances of this. Civil rights groups, unions and community representatives would send press releases, hold meetings, and conduct go-slows, to no avail. Left without the financial resources to go to court, many eventually feel that they have no other option but to bring the country to a standstill. It’s only then that we see politicians coming to the party and addressing communities. Then negotiations are initiated. Attention gets paid. So, it works right?

This brings to mind an interview Tupac did years ago, where he spoke about the very same thing and why violence sometimes becomes necessary.

I’m not advocating for the burning down and destruction of public infrastructure or the disruption of schooling. I’m also not saying that people shouldn’t pay their electricity bills but these issues keep rearing their ugly heads year in and year out because they are never effectively dealt with.

Prepaid electricity meters have been a sore point for many communities across the country for years now with claims of inaccurate reading, expensive bills and corruption. Similar complaints are raised when it comes to service delivery and other protests.

Fact that they're proposing a flat rate means they ARE willing to pay. They just cant afford rates based on consumption. #OrlandoProtest

— mathi (@mathidube) May 7, 2015

Correct me if I'm wrong, but #OrlandoProtest is about COST of electricity not wanting it for free. An issue of rising costs and low incomes

— Greg Nicolson (@gregnicolson) May 7, 2015

Wats up with the #OrlandoProtest I mean protests take place all the tym here in South Africa n we all know Eskom has been having deir prblms

— Mpho Abraham Radebe (@Poster_RADIOGUY) May 7, 2015

Our government fails our communities time and time again and when they take to the streets to express their anger and frustration we cannot blame them. We have to blame the guys who walk around making promises during election years and then turn around and ignore their voters after the celebratory parties are wrapped up.

We have to blame the guys who expect their employees to be happy earning a pittance and living in squalor while they cash in million rand bonuses. And we have to blame ourselves for not caring enough to listen to them before they start burning and destroying our cities.

This article originally appeared on Daily Planet.