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Why only black DA marchers, Maimane, Twitter asks
The DA leader has also been called out for 'double standards' after he criticised an organisation for marching to a private residence last year.
Democratic Alliance Supporters (DA) dance in the rain on the lawns of Zoo Lake in Johannesburg on 5 October 2017. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia.
A group of DA supporters, led by leader Mmusi Maimane, on Thursday braved the rain to march through the streets of Saxonwold in Johannesburg to protest against “state capture by the Guptas and Jacob Zuma”.
Maimane made speeches against the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma at various points along the route.
“Our message is clear: we reject the capture of our country by the rich and the corrupt, and we want real change. South Africa needs a new beginning, ushered in by a new government committed to fighting for the poor and the jobless, not the rich and the connected few.
“We need a new government that is committed to our nation’s new struggle – the struggle for access to jobs,” said Maimane at the march.
The party agreed it would not go closer than 900 metres to the Gupta compound, popularly known as the “Saxonwold Shebeen”, but it seems they did not heed this and stood with placards outside the high walls of the sprawling estate.
#DAMarch: This is not a personal house but the government's embassy of corruption and #statecapture.⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/X6NS3NItQ6
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 5, 2017
Jacob Zuma's capture site in Saxonwold with @Our_DA leadership. Thanks to all our activists, members and supporters. pic.twitter.com/esaLtnFd9F
— Makashule Gana – RISE Mzansi🇿🇦 (@Makashule) October 5, 2017
Twitter was quick to point this out, saying Maimane had double standards for apparently not practising what he preaches.
Last year, the DA leader condemned Equal Education after posting a video on social media of the organisation saying it was “in full force” outside the home of Minister of Education in the Western Cape Debbie Schafer to demand safe schools.
Maimane said he found the organisation’s actions “outrageous and dangerous”.
“Whatever the issue, marching to someone’s house is wrong and dangerous,” he said.
I find these actions outrageous and dangerous. Whatever the issue, marching to some1 house is wrong and dangerous https://t.co/SFnEzL55YS
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) June 30, 2016
At the time, people criticised him for his words while his own party in 2012 marched to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.
Twitter also asked the DA leader why there were no white people at the march, judging from the pictures that were circulating on social media. However, Maimane responded, blaming the ANC for the comments.
“Today the ANC, like Zuma, has resorted to divisive rhetoric and race-baiting to divide SA for its own selfish benefit,” he said.
But Twitter is still not having any of it, saying blacks marched on the streets while whites sat in parliament.
Check out some of the comments on Twitter:
Today the ANC, like Zuma has resorted to divisive rhetoric & race-baiting to divide SA for its own selfish benefit. – @MmusiMaimane #DAMarch pic.twitter.com/nQvnpjK7hL
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 5, 2017
Few months ago BLF marched to Bruce home and every1 including the courts said it was wrong, but look at @Our_DA #DaillegalMarch #Damarch
— KABELO SEAGISO (@KSeagiso) October 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/avuyile_baseka/status/915842640993832960
That march is wrong at all levels.We said that with BLF march to journalist's homes as well.#DAmarch
— Let's build SA together (@MogaleMaeko) October 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/keitumetseLD/status/915911848712646656
When DA whites saw the weather today #DAMarch pic.twitter.com/CsqEabdbZq
— Sandisiwe (@Slim_Sandiey_) October 5, 2017
Well done to the DA black members for always remembering their place in the party, the filthy ground. Well done#DAMarch
— The Philosopher (@NDIMZIN) October 5, 2017
Black people in the #DAMarch are like those gullible Christians following false prophets you can't convince them otherwise 😢 pic.twitter.com/6r0iJvWa5M
— KatlehoMK (@KatlehoMK) October 5, 2017
Mmusi Maimane has to organize his 'party'. Blacks can't be marching in the rain while whites are enjoying aircon in their offices. #DAMarch pic.twitter.com/YYGWTqNHiC
— ♛Kgoši Tumedi♛ (@TumediTrevor) October 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/ThokozaniNala/status/915925249304252416
https://twitter.com/JeqeKashaka/status/915924966100602880
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