Support for anti-corruption march grows
Today, the broad-based coalition of organisations and individuals who make up Unite Against Corruption, have put out a rallying Call to Action for people from all walks of life to join the marches on August 19, 2015 in Cape Town and Pretoria, and other related activities.
The initiative was first proposed in early June 2015 as a way to tackle the spiraling levels of corruption in South Africa. Since its inception, more and more people have expressed their support for the call to unite against corruption. The objective of the movement is to bring together large swathes of society to make a public stand for an end to the corruption that has eroded every aspect of our lives: in academia, business, civil society, government, public services, trade unions and faith-based organisations. Rampant corruption threatens our fragile democracy and it is our responsibility, as the people of South Africa, to protect it.
There is a mood in the country that enough is enough, and something must be done to demand accountability from our public officials, to demand action against corrupt business practices, and to demand respect and support for the Public Protector’s office and other Chapter 9 institutions.
The culture of impunity that has taken hold, the increasing high levels of collusion in business, unjustified state sanctioned violence against the masses, and lack of protection for whistleblowers requires that action must be taken to win back the power for ordinary people in this country.
UniteAgainstCorruption presents an opportunity to bring together, in a spirit of unity, all those people who view corruption as an assault on our Constitution’s promise of equality and dignity. The broad representation within the coalition signifies that we have reached a tipping point where people are ready to overlook differences in order to protest against the damage that corruption has wrought onto the country. We are at a stage where a strong, peaceful and unified response to corruption is necessary to make those responsible for corruption listen to the masses. As so often is the case, it is the poorest and most vulnerable who suffer the most, at the hands of those with the most power and resources.
This call to action is addressed to all those living in South Africa who are affected by corruption. Tens of thousands of voices on our streets will send a clear message that the majority of people in this country will no longer tolerate the culture of corruption that it embedding itself in our nation. The current list of supporting organisations and individuals can be found on the website at: www.uniteagainstcorruption.co.
The programme of activities below is intended to place corruption on the national agenda. The picket on 7 Augustoutside the National Assembly is intended to challenge parliamentarians about the whitewash represented by the “Nhleko report” on spending on Nkandla, while the dual marches on 19 August, in Cape Town and Pretoria, will further demonstrate that people are ready to make their voices heard.
The following events form the beginnings of the UNITE AGAINST CORRUPTION campaign:
7th August 2015, Cape Town: Join our picket of the National Assembly in Cape Town during parliamentary debate on the ‘Nhleko report’, which found that President Zuma does not need to pay back any money for Nkandla upgrades despite the findings of the Public Protector.
19th August, Everywhere: Join a planned action on this day, or organise your own:
Pretoria (12:00): The “People’s March Against Corruption” will start from multiple locations to converge on the Union Buildings. Details to follow on social media and subsequent press releases.
Cape Town (12:00): A mass march to Parliament will take place in solidarity with the main march in Pretoria. Details to follow on social media and subsequent press releases.
Other Cities and Towns: Wherever you are, start now to organise a march or demonstration. You know who is corrupt in your school, community or workplace! Organise against it and let us know about it (see details below).
FOLLOW THE CAMPAIGN ONLINE & PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT AT:
Web: uniteagainstcorruption.co.za
Email: media@uniteagainstcorruption.
Facebook: facebook.com/uacnow
Twitter: @UAC_Now
Instagram: uac_now
Statement issued by UniteAgainstCorruption, July 22 2015
