#OccupyLuthuliHouse builds up, marchers gather

A small group of the #OccupyLuthuliHouse movement has gathered at Beyers Naudé Square where, as one of the organisers Gugu Ndima earlier said in a statement, they would make their way to Luthuli House to present their demands.

#OccupyLuthuliHouse protesters are singing at #BeyersNaude square @NewsNMT pic.twitter.com/YTEHioXmrC

— Phathu Luvhengo (@LuvhengoPhathu) September 5, 2016

These demands, as set out by the movement at the weekend asks for the resignation of African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma and his party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), were made by disgruntled members of the ANC who “refuse to stand silently in our corners and watch this erosion [of the ANC] unfold, we refuse to be intimidated and if need be will die to save the ANC”.

In light of these statements, the ANC’s headquarters are manned by a strong police presence this morning and ANC supporters, under the hashtag #DefendLuthuliHouse on Twitter.

But Ndima said should they be attacked “let it be, we will not retreat for ours is a just cause”.

#OccupyLuthuliHouse @NewsNMT pic.twitter.com/J2U7dZoicG

— Phathu Luvhengo (@LuvhengoPhathu) September 5, 2016

One of the #OccupyLuthuliHouse organisers, Sasa Manganye, told News24 that they have come to Luthuli House peacefully and want to request the ANC leadership to resign because they failed to hold the president accountable “and that cost us in the local government elections”.

He said, “We want to defend the ANC, we are doing all this in the best interest of the ANC.”

Manganye also said a memorandum will be handed over.

The protestors will just hand over memorandum #OccupyLuthuliHouse @NewsNMT

— Phathu Luvhengo (@LuvhengoPhathu) September 5, 2016

There are no reports of violence at Luthuli House, but it is heavily secured by police.

#OccupyLuthuliHouse this wire was meant to prevent protestors from entering #LuthuliHouse @NewsNMT pic.twitter.com/W0SS2q2TYT

— Phathu Luvhengo (@LuvhengoPhathu) September 5, 2016

On Twitter:

Both the Luthuli house groups claim to be defending the #ANC.This is proof that @MYANC under #Zuma is divided.#OcccupyLuthuliHouse

— Moroka wa lebole (@ramoroaswi) September 5, 2016

https://twitter.com/S_Sunane/status/772700336620441600

ANC vs ANC #LuthuliHouse

— Khanyisa Tyoda (@Makhanyak) September 5, 2016