Photo: United Against Corruption Twitter page.

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Anti-Corruption Protests in South Africa on Wednesday

Nationwide protests against corruption in South Africa are planned for tomorrow (Wednesday 30 September), the main one in Pretoria ending at the Union Buildings. Former COSATU leader Zwelinzima Vavi, who has been a strong voice against corruption and is one of the main organisers of the protest marches, said, “This is something that has become more than necessary to […]

By SAPeople
29-09-15 23:59
in News
Photo: United Against Corruption Twitter page.

Nationwide protests against corruption in South Africa are planned for tomorrow (Wednesday 30 September), the main one in Pretoria ending at the Union Buildings.

Former COSATU leader Zwelinzima Vavi, who has been a strong voice against corruption and is one of the main organisers of the protest marches, said, “This is something that has become more than necessary to do. We need to raise awareness so that our children do not regard [corruption] as a norm.”

Apart from the Pretoria march (which starts at Burger’s Park), similar marches are due to take place in several cities across the country including Cape Town (marching from Keizergracht to Parliament at 11am), Durban (King Dinizulu/Botha’s Garden to City Hall), Grahamstown and Polokwane.

Durban march against corruption, South Africa

Thousands are expected to participate with over 350 groups from labour unions to religious groups backing the marches. This is being touted as the largest march against corruption since the African National Congress (ANC) came into power.

Many well-known South Africans have pledged their support for the march, including Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, and entertainers like Zakes Mda, Gcina Mhlophe and Pieter-Dirk Uys.

At the same time, a petition for a corruption-free South Africa has also been started on the online Avaaz petition site.

Cape Town march against corruption South AfricaA last-minute legal obstacle has occurred which may impact the march – the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) members have been granted permission by the National Economic Development and Labour Council to march two weeks from after the day it is meant to take place. However, the union’s general secretary Irvin Jim said he expected the march to be a huge success, despite the Nedlac ruling.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who is unable to attend due to health issues, sent this message instead: “A society that assigns resources on the basis of peoples’ proximity to power is no less sinful to one that assigns resources on the basis of skin colour. We live in a beautiful country richly endowed with natural resources. Each is entitled to a fair share. Nobody is more entitled than anyone else – and nobody is more, or less, accountable.”