On the one hand, the day of protest will focus on protest against the crime situation. However, protest is not enough. Therefore, we will also focus strongly on establishing community safety structures. In the memorandum, there is an appeal to the police and communities to create joint safety structures. If we can succeed in creating an additional 200 community safety actions following the protest actions, South Africa will be much safer.
Solidarity will also apply to NEDLAC, in terms of the Labour Relations Act, for protection for its members on the day. This would mean that Solidarity members would be able to stay away from work without fearing disciplinary action.
People are tired of crime. Their emotions are boiling over. People’s emotions need to be channelled. The high percentage of members in favour of the motion shows how strongly ordinary South Africans feel about crime. We want to use this day of protest to introduce an alternative form of protest to South Africa. In extremely tense circumstances, a constructive process is needed. We cannot expect people to do nothing, but we are also not interested in protest actions that involve turning over rubbish bins and causing damage.