Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen noted that the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) released on Tuesday provided damning proof that South Africa is in the midst of a “jobs bloodbath” at the hands of failed African National Congress (ANC) policy and rampant corruption.

Stats South Africa highlighted that total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 21 000 in the first quarter of 2023, bringing the level of unemployment to almost 10-million. The report indicated a tragic loss of 97 000 jobs between March 2022 and March 2023, which equated to more than 8 000 jobs per month or 260 jobs each day, said Steenhuisen.

He explained that the QES was proof that South Africa was edging closer to a failed State and the collapse of the country’s society.

“This is an indictment on the ANC and a clear sign of a failing State and an uncaring government. ANC policy has created both the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, as well as one of the worst performing public education systems,” said Steenhuisen.

He noted that between a stagnating and receding economy, and a growing population “that is ill-equipped for the working world”, the ANC is solely responsible for South Africa’s job losses and the state of despair millions of South Africans find themselves in.

“To add insult to injury, the ANC’s introduction of race quotas in the South African labour market will hammer the final nail in the coffin for the South African economy, further entrenching poverty and misery into the lives of the South African people,” he said.

Steenhuisen said if the ANC’s race quotas were enforced, 600 000 currently employed South Africans stood to lose their jobs based on the colour of their skin.

He added that until “these draconian” race quotas were removed, South Africa could expect more catastrophic employment statistics in quarters to come.

“It is truly baffling that in a country where jobs numbers are already disastrous, the ANC would seek to introduce race quotas to make finding a job even more difficult for millions of citizens,” Steenhuisen stated.

Earlier this month the DA approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to declare various sections of the Employment Equity Amendment Act unconstitutional and invalid.