What’s happening on #FreedomFriday?

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the DA, released a statement saying he met with the leadership of other opposition parties including the EFF, IFP, Cope, UDM, and ACDP in Johannesburg to put together an Opposition Programme of Action.

“It was agreed that as Opposition Parties, we will start the process of mobilising structures from across South Africa for a National Day of Action to the Union Buildings,” Maimane’s statement reads.

“We call upon all South Africans and the whole of civil society to support this mass action, where [we] will speak with one voice calling for [President] Jacob Zuma to remove himself from the Union Buildings.”

It further states that opposition parties are fully behind the motion of no confidence in Zuma.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) also released a statement regarding the possible protest action on Friday.

• Read: SABC Censorship Protest – Black Friday

The statement encourages the organisation’s supporters and the general public to join peaceful public protests around the country.

“This is in support of calls for Jacob Zuma to resign or be withdrawn as South Africa’s president.”
Outa says it’s supporting protests in collaboration with other prominent civic organisations.

The statement further reads: “Marches and protests are being organised by different entities around the country.

“We encourage the public to establish what’s happening in their towns and cities and to join the protests in solidarity with millions of South Africans who are concerned about the country’s future under Zuma’s leadership, particularly following his irrational and damaging cabinet reshuffle.”

According to Caxton’s The Citizen, on Monday night, Donald Liphoko, the acting government communication and information system director-general and official government spokesperson, issued a strongly worded statement, warning South Africans against protesting illegally on Friday.

• Also read: Twitter reacts to President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle

“We have noted social media messages which call for a shutdown of the country on Friday.

“The call made in these messages can have unexpected consequences, especially for our fragile economy, business and communities,” Liphoko says.

“Whilst the public has a democratic right to embark on protest action, government does not support acts of civil disobedience and the actions of a select few to infringe on the constitutional rights of the majority.

“When citizens take to the streets illegally, we often witness violence, destruction of property and lawlessness.

“These illegal protests do not possess the characteristics of strengthening democracy.

“Those found guilty of any form of violence will face the might of the law.”