Parts of Pta to be traffic free
2008-06-09 15:38
Johannesburg - Parts of Pretoria will be closed to traffic on Tuesday for the "million man march" anti-crime gathering at the Union Buildings.
Metro police spokesperson Alta Fourie said on Monday that permission had been granted for the gathering and, in addition to some road closures leading to the union buildings, arrangements had also been made for bus and car parking for people planning to attend the gathering.
Comedian and actor Desmond Dube was inspired to arrange the event after a neighbour Bashimane Mofokeng was killed in a hijacking.
According to the event's website, www.millionmanmarch.co.za, the purpose of the march is to unite South Africans against crime.
Dube was not immediately available to comment, but the website said people would start gathering from 06:00 and there would be a symbolic walk at 11:50, with the main event down for noon to 13:00.
It was open to anyone, including women, with the name simply being taken from previous civil rights marches held globally.
Fourie said the organisers had been granted permission to hold the event from 05:00 to 18:00.
Certain intersections along Vermeulen, Church, Soutpansberg, Skinner, Nelson Mandela and Hamilton streets in the city would be traffic free.
The suburbs affected are: Brooklyn, Sunnyside, Hatfield and Arcadia.
About 250 metro policemen will be in attendance, along with the SA Police Service and, according to the organisers the following will not be allowed: firearms, traditional weapons, hate speech, alcohol and littering.
Uniformed law enforcement officers will not be allowed to participate in the march.
Politicians who have said they will attend include Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille and United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa.
"The UDM views this march as part of bolstering the efforts to combat crime in SA," said Holomisa.
- SAPA