Unclear whether ANC marched legally

However, following violent confrontations between the ANC and police after crowds of ANC supporters tried to charge the DA protesters, questions regarding the legality of the ANC’s gathering remain.

Conflicting statements from law enforcement officials have provided little clarity about whether the ANC had obtained permission to march on the same day as the DA.

Shortly after violence had abruptly ended the DA’s march for “real jobs”, police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the ANC was given permission to march in the early hours of 12 February.

It was not unusual that both parties were granted permission to march on the same day, she said.

However, the Metro police had no knowledge of the ANC being granted permission to march.

The ANC, who also sought to march, were denied permission by the Metro police on the grounds that two opposition parties could not stage protests on the same day and at the same place.

“We [Metro police] could not have two big opposition parties marching on the same day, we had our hands full already,” Metro police spokesperson Edna Mamonyane said.

However, she said it was possible that the ANC had been granted permission to march from the courts, but added that Metro police had no knowledge of this and had not seen any documents to this effect.

Metro police were expected to meet with ANC officials on 13 February to establish more information of the circumstances surrounding the ANC’s march.

Only hours before both parties took to the streets, the ANC’s last-ditch court action to stop the DA from marching failed.

The ANC did not confirm whether the party had received permission to march but reportedly said there was nothing illegal about it gathering at Luthuli House.

ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza was quoted in The Citizen saying, “ANC members do not need permission to visit their headquarters.”

ANC officials could not be reached for further comment.