March a peaceful affair

The ANC Youth League’s march for economic freedom was a peaceful affair, though metro police and EMS were prepared.
THERE were no reports of damage to property or any misbehaviour during the ANC Youth League’s economic freedom march on Thursday, 27 October.

MMC Matshidiso MfikoeMMC Matshidiso Mfikoe: March was peacefulThere was strong visibility of the City’s law enforcers and emergency management services (EMS) team throughout the march. More than a thousand metro police officers and five ambulances from Joburg’s EMS were on hand to help where needed, or keep the peace if needed.

But there services were not required, bar for minor reports of people collapsing here and there because of the heat. It was nothing the emergency services could not handle.

The City’s portfolio head of public safety, Matshidiso Mfikoe, commended residents, companies, visitors and law enforcers for their co-operation during the demonstration.

“The commitment which was executed by the City’s law enforcers who went beyond the call of duty to ensure that the City’s by-laws relating to the safety of the City’s infrastructure was protected and maintained during and after the expected ANCYL march,” Mfikoe explained.

She said the mature and civil conduct of the marchers should serve as an example for other groups or organisations wishing to stage similar protests.

“The City of Joburg belongs to all who live in it and such privilege should inspire everybody who lives, works or is visiting the City to take ownership of the City’s infrastructure and to respect fellow patriots in Joburg and beyond.”

Estimates of how many people joined the march range from 2 000 to as many as 10 000. It started in the inner city at Beyers Naude Square. Moving to the Chamber of Mines on Marshall Street, they submitted their first memorandum to the chamber, before setting off for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton.

Another memorandum was handed over at the exchange, after which marchers headed north to Pretoria for an overnight vigil. The demonstration ended on Friday at the Union Buildings where another memorandum was handed over to the government.