AfriForum Youth says it will lay criminal charges itself against the #RhodesMustFall vandals if Dr Max Price‚ Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town‚ does not do so.

This comes after supporters of the protest campaign “damaged cultural heritage by setting alight historic paintings as well as vehicles” at the university‚ the youth organisation said.

“Despite the unilateral opinion of a radical organisation such as #RhodesMustFall‚ we simply have to pursue the addressing of all elements of culture and history in South Africa. This is the only way in which the youth can help the country’s rich history to survive‚” said Ian Cameron‚ AfriForum Youth’s national spokesperson.

He said AfriForum Youth would on Wednesday issue a letter to the management of all universities to warn that they should help protect the heritage treasures on their campuses and ensure that “security structures are sufficient to end any form of violence and vandalism immediately”.

“Any person who commits culture and heritage theft must be charged criminally and investigated‚” Cameron stated.

 “AfriForum Youth will help to keep students safe in cases where these violence spills over to people‚ especially in cases of students with historic ties to the heritage treasures that are being damaged and destroyed. Students are encouraged to defend themselves and to demand their right to be educated in a safe environment‚” Cameron added.