VIDEO: Crowds march against corruption

‘AMANDLA! Power to the people!’ That was the cry of hundreds of citizens who gathered at King Dinizulu (Botha’s) Park on 30 September to take a stand against corruption.

The group of residents and members of various organisations joined others in Johannesburg and Cape Town, who marched against corruption in the country, which they feel is hampering service delivery and bringing the economy to its knees.

The group gathered in King Dinizulu Park in Durban where there was a festive atmosphere, with people uniting for the cause before they walked to Durban City Hall.

Various placards read ‘Marikana murders = Corruption of our democracy’, ‘Who is making dirty money from tenders?’, ‘Put people before corrupt profit’, and ‘We demand accountability’, and a resounding message was shared by people with the Berea Mail.

The march was a joint project between United Front KZN and many civic organisations, and came together to build an alliance against corruption and to call for social justice. It was a protest against Nkandla, e-tolls, ‘golden handshakes’, Eskom, looting of the state coffers, lack of accountability and public officials still holding positions after being implicated in corruption – basically everything South Africans complain about. It was a mass call to action by civil society against corruption and an apolitical initiative.

At a planning meeting in Morningside recently, Eric Tate from Arise and Act For a Just Society said this would only be the start, and would not be a once-off event.

“We are not stopping, we can’t allow people to get away with corruption, it needs to be ongoing,” he said.

What the people said

Speaking to Berea Mail at the march, Nikoh Thakersee said he felt corruption would destroy the country’s future.

Michael Naidoo from Awethu said Awethu strongly condemned corruption. “Corruption impedes the progress of the country. Many imbalances need to be rectified, such as housing, health care, social grants and education. With the elimination of corruption, we wouldn’t have such a backlog, such as in housing,” he said.

Helge Janssen said the march had to happen and was long overdue, and would hopefully effect change in the country.

Janine Dryden said: Hoods and criminals in government are unacceptable.

Cheryl Johnson from Save Our Berea said she felt it was great South Africa was holding these marches.

“There’s a very festive atmosphere and it is great to see this march happening in Durban. Save Our Berea sees corruption all the time, and it has got to stop,” she said.

Thembi Dlamini said she was fed up with corruption. “We are human beings, and have the right to know what is happening in our country. We need answers,” she said.

Sthembiso Khuluse said he thought the march was a good thing. “Corruption affects service delivery. The one enemy of service delivery is corruption and we need to fight this enemy. South Africans are suffering and I think this march is the way to fight for people to get service delivery,” he said.

G Pillay said corruption was getting out of hand at the moment. “I hope people high up realise that what is happening is very wrong, they are depriving the poor and basic needs through corruption,” he said.