Johannesburg - The African National Congress has welcomed an initiative by a collective of South African organisations, including civil society, unions and churches, to march against corruption.
Thousands participated in the marches held across the country on Wednesday. The main ones were to the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Parliament in Cape Town.
“We welcome this initiative as the ANC has always argued and located the issue of corruption as a societal issue that requires societal rejection and action,” ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
“We are hopeful that these organisations will continue working with our government to subdue the scourge of corruption wherever it manifests itself. We add our voice that society must not tolerate corruption and must continue with this initiative by exposing it wherever it rears its ugly head.”
While other political parties, including Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters, participated in the protests, the ANC as an organisation stayed away.
In the lead-up to the protests, critics accused organisers of using the event to march against the government. However, organisers have said that the march is against corruption in both the public and private sector.
Kodwa said the ANC was hopeful that society would use anti-corruption measures introduced by the government to stamp out the scourge.
“Let us act in unison to make South Africa intolerant of corruption. The ANC and government at all remains committed to work with broad societal formations to promote zero tolerance for corruption,” he concluded.
Unite Against Corruption organisers claim that the country has lost R700 billion to corruption over the last 20 years. However, this figure has been disputed by fact checking service, Africa Check.
Group Labour Editor