The Democratic Alliance has, according to Metro police, applied for a protest of 10 000 people at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Joburg on Friday.
[STATEMENT] We call on all South Africans to join this Friday’s March for Change to Beyers Naude Square – https://t.co/vRvSO3xs6Q pic.twitter.com/edpxCQjDBB
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) April 3, 2017
This has come amid reports of a call for a national shutdown through many protests against President Jacob Zuma on Friday 7 April.
The national government tweeted, “We have noted social media messages which call for a shutdown of the country on Friday,” and, “Government assures all South Africans that Friday 7th April, is a normal working day.”
Government assures all South Africans that Friday, 7th April, is a normal working day.
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 3, 2017
Tweets followed saying the calls for a national shutdown could have unexpected consequences, especially for the country’s fragile economy, business and communities and blames the messages for bringing the image of the country into disrepute.
Twitter replied:
Its not a normal day. Maybe in Nkandla
— Thapelo Tloukgolo (@ModupaT) April 4, 2017
see you in the street and we will vote you out 2019…. 'the one who laughs last, laughs the best'
— Sinethemba Mali-Bolo (@MaliBolo) April 4, 2017
City of Johannesburg’s Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said two formal applications for protests were made, one of which was for a prayer session and the other for 10 000 people at the Mary Fitzgerald Square by the DA.
“If 15 or more people protest, they have to apply at Metro police,” Minnaar explained.
Minnaar also said that officers are prepared to be deployed anywhere they are needed on Friday.
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