#NationalShutdown march amounts to treason – eThekwini Mayor
The Mayor allegedly said that police would arrest anyone marching against the president on Friday.
TENSIONS have been slowly mounting as hundreds and thousands of South Africans are planning to march against President Jacob Zuma in a nationwide protest on Friday.
Not only have there been threats of violence making the rounds on social media, but the eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede has also reportedly announced that the proposed march tantamount to treason.
On Thursday, Gumede reportedly told SABC radio that police would arrest anyone marching against the president.
The Mayor has been quoted saying that the march is ‘uncalled’ for and urged the community to refrain from taking part in ‘these nasty marches’.
Ethekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede says the proposed march against the recent cabinet reshuffle amounts to treason #sabcnews
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) April 6, 2017
However, the DA KZN chairperson, Haniff Hoosen, said that Gumede’s alleged controversial statement has only fuelled the protest action. He said many more people have been inspired to take part in the march.
“Our phones have been ringing off the hooks. People are now more determined than ever, as the citizens know their rights,” he said.
He said the DA was fully aware of a ‘deliberate strategy by the ANC to peddle fear into the hearts of citizens’ in the hope that it would discourage them from taking to the streets.
Hoosen assured the public they had received full permission from police services to lead the peaceful protests.
“I have personally been informed that the Metro Police, Public Order Policing and the Crime Intelligence Unit will be out in their hundreds to ensure that the marches will be safe,” he concluded.
KZN police spokesman, Lt/Col Thulani Zwane, confirmed that police will be monitoring the situation, and appealed to the public to maintain a peaceful march.
Mthunzi Gumede has reportedly denied that the mayor made the controversial statement. However, the Highway Mail’s attempts to obtain a comment from him have been unsuccessful.
The national shutdown comes as a response to President’s Zuma’s cabinet reshuffle last week, during which Pravin Gordhan and several other ministers were axed.
Over the last few days a social media message, claiming to have been sent out on behalf of East Coast Radio has also added to the tension.
“ECR Just Anouced That For The First Time Ever SA Is Standing Up For Whats Right.
The Strike is On The
7 April 2017
Please guys whose not marching or protesting
Stay indoors because they said at the looks of things they heading for war
Stay safe and don’t walk on roads also no transport will be available to go anywhere because they are going to be stoning vehicles n burning tyres
Keep your kids indoor and close all doors and windows at home
Rather be safe
From ECR (SIC)
The popular radio station has however turned to social media to distance itself from the viral message.
https://www.facebook.com/eastcoastradio/posts/10156474382327588
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