Lottery protest march starts

2012-01-27 12:01

Pretoria - Hundreds of protesters converged in Arcadia in Pretoria on Friday morning in preparation for a march to the National Lotteries Board (NLB) offices.

Around 400 placard-waving and singing protesters from different non-profit organisations gathered at an open space at the corner of Park and Festival streets.

"We are going there not to throw any stones or burn any cars. This is a peaceful march," Sandra Miller, march organiser, told the crowd.

"Let's go there in unity and make a statement, this is a worthy cause," she said.

Placards

Some placards read, "Lotto le utswetsa bahloki"; Shame on National Lotteries Board"; Moenie steel deel!" And "Help the poorest".

The protesters were led by a police vehicle as they marched along Arcadia Street to Hatfield Gardens where the National Lotteries Board is housed, across the road from the Canadian High Commission.

At the closed entrance, manned by security guards, the protesters burst into a chorus of "We want the money" and "Awulethi imali yami" songs and chants, blowing vuvuzelas.

A memorandum is expected to be handed to the NLB representatives.

The protest follows criticism of the NLB by the Democratic Alliance.

On Wednesday DA MP Jacques Smalle told media at Parliament that there had been a growing trend of non-government organisations being overlooked in the distribution of lottery funds in favour of politically affiliated organisations.

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- SAPA