Protesters Gather for Anti-Corruption March in Pretoria

Unions, student organisations, churches and various civil society organisations are taking part in the anti-corruption March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Parliament in Cape Town.

According to the Institute for Accountability, corruption in South Africa has cost at least R700-billion in the past 20 years.

Hitachi Ltd. had agreed to pay $19 million to settle charges that it inaccurately reported “improper payments” channeled to South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, to help it win contracts from state power utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. The ANC denied any wrongdoing. This video shows the protest in Pretoria.

In light of the above decision by NEDLAC’s committee, we will have an internal discussion on whether we should postpone the march, after consultation with our allies and supporters in the Unite Against Corruption coalition.

We are convinced that NEDLAC has been captured by forces within and outside government opposed to the march, by using technicalities to undermine and sabotage it.

But this has not set back organisers from going ahead with the anti-corruption mass action.

Thousands of South Africans took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against corruption, as public frustration grows over a government enmeshed in graft scandals and a stagnant economy.

Only a few Numsa members could be seen while representatives from Section 27 and Equal Education are also there.

“On Wednesday we will march for justice”.

“We are going even if it gets ugly, even if they (law enforcement officials) shoot us, beat us or arrest us”, sang the crowd as it marched around Burgers Park.

They will move along Lilian Ngoyi Street, Francis Baard Street, Nelson Mandela Drive and Stanza Bopape before arriving at the Union Buildings.