Boost for SA march against corruption

AN anti-corruption march, to be led by former Cosatu boss Zwelinzima Vavi among others, has received a major boost.

Global anti-corruption organisation Transparency International (TI) yesterday endorsed the protest to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria and parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday.

TI has headquarters in Berlin, Germany, with chapters in 100 countries. It has partnered with Corruption Watch in South Africa.

“Rampant corruption is damaging the future of South Africans, particularly the poorest of the poor. It compromises healthcare and education, threatens security and diminishes basic human rights,” TI chairman José Ugaz said.

The EFF, some Cosatu affiliates, Treatment Action Campaign and Equal Education are among supporters of the march.

Laws to curb corruption in party funding, lifestyle audits, and strengthening institutions like the public protector are other demands.

Vavi and metalworkers’ union boss Irvin Jim have been mobilising political formations and civil society to join the march. Vavi said the protests should send out a message that there were people who would not stand by and watch when “a swimming pool is called a fire pool”. – George Matlala