Community platforms to ventilate public frustrations are not being used or are being ignored by those in charge.

Conflict resolution expert, Geoffrey Mamputa contends that this adds fuel to the flames of public discontent.

He was speaking as there is growing concern that public spaces are being targeted by angry communities that are frustrated by the depths of inequality in South Africa.

Most recently, a fire had damaged parts of the Charlotte Maxeke hospital in Johannesburg.

This is the second such incident in a year.

Some claim that this could be due to an act of arson.

But Mamputa says that the country’s high unemployment rate means that there are many young people stewing in their frustrations.

He says that this group is also most likely to participate in protests.