Celebs march against violence

Johannesburg - Local celebrities and members of the public marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday to protest against violent crime.

The march which was organised by Afrikaans singers Bobby and Karlien van Jaarsveld and Steve Hofmeyr as well as other celebrities was aimed at calling on government to take action against violent crime in the country.

"This is our long walk to freedom...it's our little war. Crime is high in this country and I mean I have children and want to make sure they are safe and that's what this is about," said Bobby Van Jaarsveld.

He said the march was against all crime and not specifically farm attacks.

He said the killing of a five-month-old baby showed how bad things were.

Dressed in black

Margrietha de Goede, 66, and the five-month-old baby were found strangled in her home on 23 May. De Goede's body was found under a carpet in an outside room. The baby was found under a bed in the main house.

The march was led by Hofmeyr who had painted white crosses on his face.

He marched behind a big banner which read "Ons sal nie stil bly nie [We won't keep quiet]."

Other posters carried by the marchers read "Moeg vir bloed [Tired of blood]" and "this country needs leadership".

Most of the marchers were dressed in black as they made their way to the Union Buildings to hand over a memorandum to the presidency.

Afriforum supported the march and also called on its members to join the protest.