DA responds to allegations that they paid members R100 to attend march

Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson Mabine Seabe has rubbished claims that party members who joined the party’s march for jobs in Johannesburg on 27 November were paid R100 each to take part.

Seabe said the DA did not pay its members and activists to attend marches. “Everyone was at the march to practice their constitutional right to associate with the DA, and the party’s fight for building an inclusive and growing economy that creates jobs,” said Seabe.

He also responded to allegations that the party did not get permission to use the space where the speakers’ stage was erected. “The area where the stage was erected is land belonging to the Johannesburg Roads Agency [JRA], who were supposed to enter into negotiations with the traders who use the area to run their businesses.”

According to Seaba, JRA did not negotiate with the traders, which meant the DA leadership had to negotiate with the traders directly. “The Democratic Alliance leadership in Gauteng negotiated with the traders so as to not compromise the livelihoods of the traders. Through a mutual agreement they were compensated,” he said.

DA councillor for Ward 60 and 123, Percy Morapedi Koji also confirmed that the DA did not pay activists to participate in any of the party’s marches.

Meanwhile, social media also reacted to the allegations of DA members being paid, and #RentedCrowd was trending after the march.

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