Besieged but unfazed‚ President Jacob Zuma is set to be singing and dancing in Soweto‚ Johannesburg‚ at his birthday celebration rally on Wednesday as thousands of protesters descend on Pretoria demanding he step down.
Organisers say at least 10‚000 people are expected to join the second anti-Zuma march‚ this time organised by opposition parties — the DA‚ COPE‚ IFP‚ EFF‚ ACDP‚ APC and UDM.
But Zuma will be at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown attending his 75th birthday celebratory rally organised by the ANC.
Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan‚ who was‚ together with his deputy Mcebisi Jonas‚ axed by Zuma‚ angering South Africans‚ is also celebrating his 58th birthday on the same day.
In a message sent to The Times‚ Gordhan said his plans for his birthday are “very simple – relax and spend the day with family”.
On the eve of the mass action on Tuesday‚ Zuma was in Westonaria where he conducted a site-visit of the local Agri-Park project.
Zuma appeared unfazed by the growing calls for his removal and made no mention of the march but instead beamed when the gathered crowd burst into the “Happy Birthday” song‚ with the crowd invited to join in Wednesday’s celebrations by the local acting mayor.
The president is also facing a motion of no confidence debate in parliament‚ which may be postponed after the Constitutional Court allowed parties to file opposing papers in the UDM’s urgent application for a secret ballot.
Former president Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday urged MPs to put the country first when they vote on a motion of no confidence‚ saying the Constitutional Court had outlined the role of MPs in its Nkandla judgment‚ which criticised parliament for not rapping Zuma over the knuckles by failing to implement the findings of the public protector.
Mbeki said that MPs must act as the voice of the people‚ “not the voice of the political parties to which they belong”.
As the political landscape continued to fracture‚ the SA Communist Party in Gauteng broke with the organisation’s sentiments about Zuma’ s leadership‚ saying it would not be throwing its weight behind the march‚ as the EFF and DA were “bourgeois”.
The provincial SACP’s views are contrary to the SACP nationally which held a special provincial council over the weekend and resolved that Zuma should resign over the cabinet reshuffle and its consequences.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the march was not a numbers game but was intended to deliver a message.
“Even if we are five the message will be conveyed that Zuma is causing havoc. This sent a chilling message to investors and resulted in our country’s investment status downgraded to junk which impacted negatively on our economy‚” he said.
Holomisa urged marchers to ensure the protest was peaceful.
“We cannot say we are ousting a rogue president but engage in hooliganism‚” he said.
The SA Police Service and Tshwane metro police have vowed to be out in full force to maintain law and order.
Marchers who will arrive in buses and trains will start converging at the Church Square from 9am‚ with the march to the Union Buildings scheduled to start at noon and expected to end at 4pm.
Tshwane metro police spokesperson‚ Superintendent Isaac Mahamba‚ said they had a solid plan to smoothly channel the crowds into Church Square.
He said those coming from Mpumalanga and east of the city will use the N4 highway and travel along Pretorius Street‚ turning into Paul Kruger street to reach Church Square while those coming from Johannesburg and Olievenhoutbosch will use the N1 and Kgosi Mampuru turning right into WF Nkomo and proceed to Church Square. Throngs from north of Pretoria will use Mabopane highway to Eskia Mphahlele drive‚ turn left into WF Nkomo and then proceed to Church Square while those coming in from west of the city will use WF Nkomo and proceed straight to Church Square.
Those using trains will be dropped off at Bosman station‚ proceed along Bosman Street and Paul Kruger to Church Square. Those getting off at the Belle Ombre station will use Paul Kruger Street to get to Church Square.
Other streets to be affected are Madiba‚ Lillian Ngoyi‚ Sisulu‚ Du toit‚ Nelson Mandela drive‚ Edmund‚ Hamilton and Thabo Sehume.
“Madiba‚ Edmond and Hamilton streets will be closed completely for the buses of the marchers to park. Metro Police officers will be deployed to monitor the march and all affected streets. Motorists are advised to avoid the affected streets and use alternative routes‚” he said.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula and national police commissioner‚ Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ said that the deployment of police officers had already begun.
He said that police were informed that at least 10‚000 people were expected to take part in the march. “We will have adequate numbers and equipment deployed‚” said Phahlane.
“To ensure law and order‚ and that the march is peaceful‚ we call on the organisers‚ to ensure that they have enough marshals in place to assist us. The success of tomorrow depends on all South Africans working together.”
He warned that “those who try commit violence” would be “dealt with“.
Police being deployed for the march “know what is expected of them‚ in terms of exercising restraint and stopping any violence or intimidation“.
TMG Digital/TimesLIVE
While Zuma celebrates birthday‚ thousands set to march to demand he step down
Besieged but unfazed‚ President Jacob Zuma is set to be singing and dancing in Soweto‚ Johannesburg‚ at his birthday celebration rally on Wednesday as thousands of protesters descend on Pretoria demanding he step down.
Organisers say at least 10‚000 people are expected to join the second anti-Zuma march‚ this time organised by opposition parties — the DA‚ COPE‚ IFP‚ EFF‚ ACDP‚ APC and UDM.
But Zuma will be at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown attending his 75th birthday celebratory rally organised by the ANC.
Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan‚ who was‚ together with his deputy Mcebisi Jonas‚ axed by Zuma‚ angering South Africans‚ is also celebrating his 58th birthday on the same day.
In a message sent to The Times‚ Gordhan said his plans for his birthday are “very simple – relax and spend the day with family”.
On the eve of the mass action on Tuesday‚ Zuma was in Westonaria where he conducted a site-visit of the local Agri-Park project.
Zuma appeared unfazed by the growing calls for his removal and made no mention of the march but instead beamed when the gathered crowd burst into the “Happy Birthday” song‚ with the crowd invited to join in Wednesday’s celebrations by the local acting mayor.
The president is also facing a motion of no confidence debate in parliament‚ which may be postponed after the Constitutional Court allowed parties to file opposing papers in the UDM’s urgent application for a secret ballot.
Former president Thabo Mbeki on Tuesday urged MPs to put the country first when they vote on a motion of no confidence‚ saying the Constitutional Court had outlined the role of MPs in its Nkandla judgment‚ which criticised parliament for not rapping Zuma over the knuckles by failing to implement the findings of the public protector.
Mbeki said that MPs must act as the voice of the people‚ “not the voice of the political parties to which they belong”.
As the political landscape continued to fracture‚ the SA Communist Party in Gauteng broke with the organisation’s sentiments about Zuma’ s leadership‚ saying it would not be throwing its weight behind the march‚ as the EFF and DA were “bourgeois”.
The provincial SACP’s views are contrary to the SACP nationally which held a special provincial council over the weekend and resolved that Zuma should resign over the cabinet reshuffle and its consequences.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the march was not a numbers game but was intended to deliver a message.
“Even if we are five the message will be conveyed that Zuma is causing havoc. This sent a chilling message to investors and resulted in our country’s investment status downgraded to junk which impacted negatively on our economy‚” he said.
Holomisa urged marchers to ensure the protest was peaceful.
“We cannot say we are ousting a rogue president but engage in hooliganism‚” he said.
The SA Police Service and Tshwane metro police have vowed to be out in full force to maintain law and order.
Marchers who will arrive in buses and trains will start converging at the Church Square from 9am‚ with the march to the Union Buildings scheduled to start at noon and expected to end at 4pm.
Tshwane metro police spokesperson‚ Superintendent Isaac Mahamba‚ said they had a solid plan to smoothly channel the crowds into Church Square.
He said those coming from Mpumalanga and east of the city will use the N4 highway and travel along Pretorius Street‚ turning into Paul Kruger street to reach Church Square while those coming from Johannesburg and Olievenhoutbosch will use the N1 and Kgosi Mampuru turning right into WF Nkomo and proceed to Church Square. Throngs from north of Pretoria will use Mabopane highway to Eskia Mphahlele drive‚ turn left into WF Nkomo and then proceed to Church Square while those coming in from west of the city will use WF Nkomo and proceed straight to Church Square.
Those using trains will be dropped off at Bosman station‚ proceed along Bosman Street and Paul Kruger to Church Square. Those getting off at the Belle Ombre station will use Paul Kruger Street to get to Church Square.
Other streets to be affected are Madiba‚ Lillian Ngoyi‚ Sisulu‚ Du toit‚ Nelson Mandela drive‚ Edmund‚ Hamilton and Thabo Sehume.
“Madiba‚ Edmond and Hamilton streets will be closed completely for the buses of the marchers to park. Metro Police officers will be deployed to monitor the march and all affected streets. Motorists are advised to avoid the affected streets and use alternative routes‚” he said.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula and national police commissioner‚ Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ said that the deployment of police officers had already begun.
He said that police were informed that at least 10‚000 people were expected to take part in the march. “We will have adequate numbers and equipment deployed‚” said Phahlane.
“To ensure law and order‚ and that the march is peaceful‚ we call on the organisers‚ to ensure that they have enough marshals in place to assist us. The success of tomorrow depends on all South Africans working together.”
He warned that “those who try commit violence” would be “dealt with“.
Police being deployed for the march “know what is expected of them‚ in terms of exercising restraint and stopping any violence or intimidation“.
TMG Digital/TimesLIVE
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