Only about 100 people attended NUMSA’s rally in Cape Town. About 3,000 are reported to have attended in Gauteng. Photo by Bernard Chiguvare.
14 October 2015
The protest against corruption organised by the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) at Nomzamo Stadium in Strand today drew only about 100 people.
According to Vuyo Lufele, NUMSA Western Cape Provincial Secretary, members had intended to march but due to lack of funds they decided rather to gather at the stadium.
“Workers in Strand decided to share their feelings at the stadium rather than staying home. We feel the 30 September march was not enough and government would not take us seriously,” he said.
A similar protest in Gauteng drew about 3,000 people, according to a Daily Maverick reporter.
Lufele said the protests would continue until the government responded.
Abraham Agulhas, head of Unite against Corruption (UAC) said corruption was going unchallenged. He referred to the upgrade of President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead and reports at the weekend about tax avoidance by MTN that occurred while Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was chairman of the board.
“Corruption is linked to capitalism, a political system, and we should fight this system with one voice.” Government should weed out all corrupt officials, he said.
“Corruption is keeping South Africa back. Money supposed to be for housing is disappearing into holes,” said Andrew Martiens from Delft
Martiens said more pressure should be put on both provincial and national government to stop corruption.
Vusi Tyhalwa, national chairperson of the the NUMSA Youth Forum said more protests should be organised. “Though we are now in a democratic South Africa corruption still exists. If we look at the levels of poverty in the country, the government has to do something on corruption.”