Low turnout at anti-crime march

2008-06-10 13:17

Pretoria - Many of the people who joined the "million man march" on Tuesday expressed their disappointment in fellow South Africans for not joining the initiative.

"I am thrilled I am here, but the numbers show something of the apathy of some South Africans," said Johannesburg businessman Jeff Blunt.

Sporting a South African flag around his shoulders, he said the business community had not done enough to support the initiative.

He had given all his staff the day off to join the march.

"I would rather come here and contribute than become another whiner," he said.

Govt must take people seriously

Actor and comedian Desmond Dube said the government needs to take people seriously.

"The leadership needs to take people seriously. They are sending the wrong message to the country ... that people are not important," he said.

Dube is the organiser of the gathering at the Union Buildings in the city.

Dube said he was disappointed that President Thabo Mbeki would not be accepting a memorandum on behalf of government.

The aim of the gathering was to change people's mind sets and let them know they could help in the fight against crime.

Victims of crime

Francinah Mpete of Hammanskraal said she was disappointed by the number of people who turned up for the event.

"We see this at other activities as well, such as the community policing forums," she said, adding that people should become more active in the fight against crime.

Around 5 000 people had gathered at the Union Buildings for the start of the official programme at noon.

Many had been victims of crime.

Yolandi du Plessis of Walkerville had been robbed 14 times. This included incidents where she and then later her sister, were hijacked.

"There could have been more people here. It would have made a bigger statement," she said.

However, she said she was happy to be there and would take part again in an anti-crime protest if the opportunity arose.

- SAPA