More than 2,000 people joined the Democratic Alliance in a march through Gqeberha on Friday to protest violent crime in Nelson Mandela Bay. Party leaders delivered speeches and presented a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for a permanent Police Minister.
The march, dubbed the Blue Wave, covered a three-kilometre route to the Police 10111 Centre. Participants carried posters reading "We are scared" and "Enough is Enough". Federal leader Geordin Hill-Lewis said the event was held for families who have buried loved ones and communities that refuse to accept violent crime as normal.
Retief Odendaal, the DA mayoral candidate, cited local statistics showing 361 gang-related shootings between 2021 and 2025, with 88 percent occurring in the northern areas. He outlined plans to double the Metro Police force and install drones and gunshot detection units if elected in November.
Hill-Lewis also criticised the appointment of an acting Police Minister and urged Ramaphosa to name a permanent official with clear targets. A resident whose cousin was killed in gang violence expressed hope that the promises would lead to safer streets.
