The Speaker of Kwazulu-Natal legislature, the provincial government of the South African region inhabited by the largest ethnic group of the country, on Friday condemned the genocide of Tamils and expressed his support for the Tamil freedom struggle, accepting a memorandum on behalf of the premier of Kwazulu Natal, Sbu Ndebele, from the demonstrators in the city. More than 1500 South African participants marched approximately 2 km through the city�s main street to Freedom Square urging India to stop sending arms, Sri Lanka to stop the genocide of Tamils and the international community to impose sanctions on Sri Lanka.

The demonstration march was oganised by the Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka, the Tamil Co-ordinating Committee of South Africa and the Palestinian Support Group together with the members of the African National Congress. The participants marched through the capital city of Petermaritzburg, shouting slogans: �Viva LTTE Viva", �Viva Pirapaharan Viva�, �There will be no surrender� and �Free Free Tamil Eelam".

Mtandeni Dlungwana, deputy chairperson of the Provincial branch of the ANC Youth League stated that they are fully backing the Tamil Eelam struggle.

His worship, Mayor Yusuf Bhamjee said �you have today shown your overwhelming support for the Eelam cause. He said �we have no doubt in our mind that the solution is a political one and not military one�.

Scholar Xolani Mkhize read a message empathizing with the children of Tamil Eelam and Ms. Naidoo, another scholar read a poem highlighting the humanitarian situation.

Barry Pillay, the chairperson of the Tamil Protective Association called for the removal of the South African High Commissioner from Sri Lanka.

MK Eelaventhan, former TNA MP, criticised the Indian double standard of not being able to interfere in the sovereignty of Sri Lanka but at the same time is able to send arms and provide military training as well as financial support.