Johannesburg - An anti-xenophobia march that started off on a festive note at Pieter Roos Park in Parktown descended into chaos and caused traffic disruptions when the police halted the proceedings on Thursday.
The African Diaspora Forum (ADF), Right2Know and the Workers and Socialist Party were some of the organisations that joined the march, which organisers said was supposed to raise awareness and take a stand against xenophobia.
The marchers first gathered at the park and were treated to traditional African music and dance.
The intention was to move through Hillbrow and Berea to the Carlton Centre, where leaders from the organisations were due to address the crowd.
One of the organisers of the march, Democratic Left Front national secretary Trevor Ngwane, said they had initially got the go-ahead to march from the Joburg metro police department and were told only at the 11th hour that they could gather only at the park. Ngwane said they refused to change their plans.
Metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar denied that permission for the march was given.
“They were not allowed to move beyond the park for security reasons,” he said.
Despite this, the marchers made their way up Empire Road in Hillbrow.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who joined in the first leg, said it was wrong for South Africans to take out their frustrations on foreigners.
“They ran away from their own situations in their own countries under the mistaken belief that there would be milk and honey in South Africa.
“We can’t take our frustrations of unemployment, poverty and inequality against out fellow Africans who are suffering just like we are suffering in South Africa,” he said. “So we’re here to demonstrate our support.”
As the marchers moved on, the metro police and SAPS set up impromptu roadblocks to manage traffic flow.
Motorists were forced to snake through throngs of people as roads were reduced to single lanes.
Pandemonium broke out when police officers - armed with rifles and spray canisters - refused to let them continue past the corner of Claim and President streets.
Marchers grew more agitated and started swearing at the police, demanding to know why they were arming themselves because nothing untoward had happened.
Ngwane had a scuffle with some of the officers and was forced into a police vehicle. He was later released without being charged.
By then, marchers had scattered and agreed to reassemble at the park.
ADF vice-chairman Jean-Pierre Lukumba said the organisation would not give up and would continue to organise marches to speak out against xenophobia.
Minnaar said no arrests were made and no damage to property was reported.
The Star