Road closures mark Zuma’s second court appearance
"We find it extremely inappropriate, as the church to lobby for politicians."
METRO POLICE will be out in full force to ensure safety for all, when former President Jacob Zuma appears at the Durban High Court on Friday. Special traffic management plans have been put in place to ensure that motorists are not inconvenienced by activities. The Metro department says motorists should be aware of a motorcade which is planned to take place in the CBD between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday.
“A night vigil will be held by the Interfaith Leadership at Albert Park from 6pm until 8am on Friday morning. Thousands of people are expected to participate in a planned march on Friday. Security and traffic management plans are in place to deal with any eventuality,” said the department.
Meanwhile, the Diakonia Council of Churches has distanced itself and its member churches from the night vigil and march organised by the National Interfaith Council of South Africa’s (NICSA). The council says it stands
firm for peace, hope, truth and justice; especially in light of the very heavy political discourse currently occurring in the country and province.
“We find it extremely inappropriate, as the church, to lobby for politicians especially when churches are made up of people from diverse political affiliations. We find it important to clarify that the night vigil and march arranged by the group of KZN church leaders is not supported by Diakonia Council of Churches and in essence the mainline churches. We have faith in our country’s Justice System to adequately handle the matter and we pray for a just and peaceful outcome to this matter,” said Nomabelu Mvambo Dandala, Executive Director, Diakonia Council of Churches.
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“The Churchleaders who are now demonstrating open support for the former President are supposedly doing so in the name of the Churches in the Province. Neither Bishop Ngcobo nor Dube has ever been a recognised member of the Church Leaders at Provincial level. Never have they attended any meetings of the KZN Church Leaders Group, which has led the Church in KZN since the mid 1980s when the churches brought the province back from the brink of civil war. Please pray for our province and its leadership at a time when so-called church leaders are leading us towards conflict rather than away from it,” Chairperson of KwaZulu-Natal Church Leaders Group, said Wilfrid Cardinal Napier O.F.M.
The march will start at King Dinizulu Park at 7.30am on Friday proceeding East on Dr Pixley Ka Seme Street. The marchers will then turn right into Dr Yusuf Dadoo Road and proceed South towards the bay. They will turn left at Margaret Mqadi, and finish off at the grassy area on the bay-side of Margaret Mncadi, outside The High Court. Margaret Mncadi (Victoria Embankment) will be closed to all traffic, from 8am after peak period, between Joseph Nduli (Russell Street) and Joe Slovo (Field Street), till 1pm. Both East and West Bound carriageways of Margaret Mncadi will be closed.
Traffic will be diverted away from the High Court precinct. Motorists must expect congestion and delays. Metro Police members will be out in full force, to conduct point duty at all intersections and alleviate congestion. Motorists are urged to plan their destinations in and out of the City accordingly.
