Rosebank Killarney Gazette’s journalist Shanice Naidoo reports that there was a small protest by the Johannesburg Against Injustice group and Black First Land First members outside the Military museum where the Gupta family is hosting a religious ceremony this afternoon.
Deputy President of the Black First Land First (BLF) movement, Zanele Lwana, spoke to the paper about why they are protesting outside the Military museum. Watch interview:
Watch: A group gathers outside the museum
Watch: Peggy Pillay of Johannesburg Against Injustices talks about why the protesting
Update, 16 April 12 noon.
Another Civil Society organisation has called on the community to boycott the religious event, which started on 16 April, hosted by the Gupta family at the South African Military Museum in Saxonwold. The event is due to take place over eight days.
According to Eye Witness News, the Johannesburg Against Injustice group said it is disingenuous of the family to host an event that encourages humanity and public good when they allegedly do the opposite
Initial Story 15 April, 8pm
Gert van der Merwe, the Gupta family lawyer expressed that it is unfortunate that some groups have decided to boycott the religious event. He advised that the Gupta family would approach the court and claim for damages if the annual religious event, hosted is not successful.
The Gujarati Network in South Africa has called on its members to boycott the event to take place at the Military museum over eight days, this is according to report from Eye Witness News.
The report stated that Van der Merwe has told organisations that this move is ill-conceived.
“It’s unfortunate that people would stoop so low as to attack someone’s religious beliefs. We hope that they abide by what I asked them. If not, I will advise the family to either approach the court for an interdict or claim damages afterwards if they cause the event to be unsuccessful,” concluded van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe also stated that the family is willing to respond to all allegations against them if they’re given a proper opportunity and platform to do so.