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Top NGOs charged for march to Gupta home

FINAL WORD: After permission was denied for a march to the Guptas' compound in Saxonwold, protesters carry a coffin with placards on climate change. They dumped the coffin in front of the Guptas' gate. Photo: Simphiwe Nkwali
FINAL WORD: After permission was denied for a march to the Guptas' compound in Saxonwold, protesters carry a coffin with placards on climate change. They dumped the coffin in front of the Guptas' gate. Photo: Simphiwe Nkwali

Civil society organisations are accusing the South African Police Service of giving the Gupta family preferential treatment by protecting the family.

This is after the police opened a case of illegal gathering against them following their planned march last weekend to the family home in Johannesburg.

The organisations which included Right2Know, Section27, Break Free SA and climate justice movement 350 Africa were planning to stage a march from Zoo Lake to the controversial family's Saxonwold estate to highlight how their close relationship to the government was a stumbling block to renewable energy.

Sowetan has seen the case docket opened by public order police officer Gavin Brown.

In his affidavit, Brown said he was advised by his commanders to open a case against the people who gathered at Zoo Lake for a possible march to the Gupta family home.

According to Brown, the protesters lied and claimed to have the permission to gather.

The organisations yesterday accused the police of giving the family special treatment.

Following their failed high court application last Friday to challenge the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) decision to prohibit their planned march, the organisations gathered at Zoo Lake to inform supporters that there would be no march.

The permission to gather briefly was sought from the JMPD, the organisations said.

The 350 Africa director Ferrial Adam, who has been charged, said Brown arrived at Zoo Lake with other officers in the early hours of the morning, took her name and asked her about the gathering before quickly leaving.

"I explained everything to him and he said there was no problem, and I was surprised to learn that I have been charged.

"Why did they not tell us to disperse if they thought we gathered illegally? The motive of these charges is very confusing."

Adam said police visited her and another charged activist Amir Bagheri on Tuesday and questioned them about their Gupta march.

Section27 executive director Mark Heywood said the charges were frivolous.

Right2Know's Bongani Xezwi said the "protection" of the Guptas was very questionable.

"It questions the extent of our equal rights in SA because whenever something involves the Guptas, it's given special attention."

Johannesburg police spokesman Mduduzi Zondo said he was not familiar with the case.

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