Ballito #SaveSA demonstration forced to move

The location of Ballito’s #SaveSA demonstration has been moved in order to avoid unnecessary confrontation with pro-Zuma supporters.

This is in response to the ANC’s sudden announcement that they will be staging their own march from Shaka’s Head to Ballito.

The #SaveSA demonstration will now take place along  Compensation Beach Road between La Montagne and the Balvista Centre, where the downtown Spar is. Participants in the demonstration will gather in front of La Montagne at 10am.

Representatives of the demonstration were informed in a meeting with KwaDukuza SAPS that the ANC had received the green light to stage a 5000 strong march directly through the planned gathering point for the #SaveSA demonstration.

One of the representatives, Privi Naidoo said they were told that the ANC had planned the march in retaliation against the Ballito #SaveSA demonstration.

“The police advised us that there could be a threat to the safety of our demonstration and that we should either change the time or place. We could not change the time now because too many people had booked time off work between 10am and 12pm on Friday – so we took the decision to move the location,” Naidoo told The Courier.

Ward 22 councilor Malcolm Hubner was furious they had to bow down to a “last minute march organised purely to disrupt the demonstration that had been on the books for a while”.

“We are basically being forced by the SAPS to back down because they say they cannot protect us,” said Hubner.

“Because they cannot guarantee our safety, they would not give us permission for our peaceful demonstration.

“I believe they are in dereliction of their duty.”

Hubner said he reserved the right to seek legal counsel on possible steps against the ANC for this move.

Also during the meeting, Nic Jordan was chosen to wear the cap of ‘demonstration organiser’.

“I just want to remind everyone that this demonstration is absolutely about state capture and we are joined in support with similar movements across the nation,” Jordan said.

KwaDukuza mayor Ricardo Mthembu broke the news over Facebook earlier today, stating the ANC would be holding “a mass march against white-monopoly capital forces which are seeking to use the working class as a vehicle for deception in attacking the ANC through their campaign to shut down South Africa on Friday.”

Mayor Mthembu shared a poster urging people to not to participate in the shut down South Africa or Black Friday campaign organised “by the opposition parties and other counter revolutionary forces which seek to undermine our hard-earned democracy.”

It goes on: “As we march to Ballito, we wish to sound the call on radical economic transformation and to defend ANC leaders who are deployed in government to improve lives of our citizens.”

According to Naidoo public order police and Umhlali SAPS have been informed of the change of venue and will be there in numbers to close down Compensation Beach road between 10am and 12pm for the Ballito #SaveSA demonstration.

No hate speech or incitement to violence will be tolerated at the demonstration and could constitute grounds for arrest.

“We ask everyone to share this far and wide so people will know the location has changed. Come join us in solidarity on Friday and remember to bring your South African flags,” said Naidoo.

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

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