We are sick of crime

Staff Reporters

June 11 2008 at 07:20AM

Still in shock, Richard Siluma walked with thousands of others in protest against crime - just hours after his cousin, entertainer Obed Siluma, had been gunned down in Joubert Park.

Siluma, better known as Tiny after the character he played in the Chicken Licken ads, is the third high-profile entertainer to be murdered in the past year.

Richard was taking part in the Million Man March, which was organised after actor Shimi Mofokeng was killed on March 3.

His widow, Letta Mofokeng, told the crowd at the Union Buildings that children were being deprived of their freedom.

"Children aren't able to play at parks because there are ruthless criminals. We need to stop intellectualising and philosophising the issue and tackle it head on."

Siluma, 42, was also the cousin of international reggae star Lucky Dube, who was killed in front of his children in Rosettenville in a botched hijacking on October 18.

Siluma was shot four times on Monday night at the Delmonico flats in Joubert Park, where he lived. Three suspects were later arrested in the same building.

Police spokesperson Captain Bheki Mavundla said the motive for the killing was unknown.

Richard, a music producer, was distraught on Tuesday as he spoke about how he heard the news just as he was preparing to be part of the anti-crime march.

Siluma is the fourth relative Richard has lost to violence.

"They all died from guns."

Actor Joe Mafela, who did the ads with Siluma, said: "Criminals are having Christmas while we are living in fear. There should be a referendum on the death sentence.

"We are sick of crime and we are part of the solution to the problem. Stop shutting us out."

This was the message to the government from thousands of concerned citizens who gathered for the Million Man March.

They called on government to stop ignoring their concerns about crime.

Organiser Desmond Dube said government officials who were responsible for safety and security should be held accountable for not doing their duty.

"Crime is not only when we get robbed at gunpoint or have our possessions stolen. When people are paid taxpayers' money to protect us but fail to do so, they are also committing a crime."

A memorandum was handed over to Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, who said: "We agree that a strong message needs to be sent to the criminals. We need to let them know that they can't mess with our freedom."