Pretoria - The Presidency has granted permission to the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) to march on the Union Buildings and hand over a memorandum to officials on Friday.
This follows a request submitted by the league's leaders to the Presidency to march and hold a night vigil on Thursday evening at the Union Buildings. The vigil will, however, be held at a venue in central Pretoria and not at the Union Buildings.
"The request for the night vigil to be held at the Union Buildings was declined due to security considerations. The Union Buildings is classified a National Key Point in terms of the Nation Key Points Act, No. 102 of 1980," the Presidency said in a statement.
In terms of the Act there cannot be a gathering allowed within 100 meters of the National Key Point.
It further said the permission for the march was granted provided the ANCYL takes full responsibility "for all eventualities, positive and negative, associated with the march".
The Presidency will be available to accept the memorandum from the leaders.
Meanwhile, thousands of supporters have started gathering in Johannesburg's city centre from where they will head to several institutions. Marchers will move from Beyers Naude Square to the Chamber of Mines in Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in Sandton and then proceed to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The march is aimed at mobilising young people for "economic freedom" and to rally against unemployment.
On Monday, league president Julius Malema said he expected more than 5000 people to take part in the march.
It is expected that 1000 youth league marshals and 500 police and private security company members will ensure the march is peaceful.
