Confusion reigned yesterday over whether a Save SA march to the Union Buildings in Tshwane would actually get the legal green light from city officials. Tshwane’s DA mayor, Solly Msimanga, took to Twitter to explain that an official tasked with granting permission for the march was out of line and holding up the process. A last-minute court bid by Save SA last night then resulted in a judgment giving the go-ahead for the march, only for South Africa’s Acting Police Commissioner, Kgomotso Phahlane, to bizarrely say afterward that all marches would be illegal in the city on Friday. Of course, this assertion by the police commissioner was false, but it added to the confusion. So, the march is going ahead and as this News24 reporter outlines below, the calls for Zuma’s resignation are about to make their way to the Union Buildings. – Gareth van Zyl.
By Lizeka Tandwa, News24
Pretoria – It’s all systems go for the Save SA march to the Union Buildings on Friday to call for President Jacob Zuma to step down.
Save SA organiser Themba Masango said the preparations for the march were full steam ahead. “People have been sending us emails, SMSes and Facebook is abuzz. Telling us they are coming to the march on Friday morning.”
Masango and several others who are past of Save SA’s campaign were still making last minute preparations at Church Square in Pretoria where the march is set to begin.
Some of the people were singing and dancing to songs which were calling for Zuma’s resignation.
Masango said Save SA has beefed up its security with extra private security and police.
He said the march will have over 1 000 marshals and private security to keep the march peaceful.
Meanwhile, at the Union Buildings, police were seen making their own preparations.
Several police Nyalas loaded with barbed wire were seen at the gardens of the Union Buildings.
Several marches and events are expected to take pace nationwide on Friday, following President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle last week. He appointed 10 new ministers and 10 new deputy ministers.
Here it is: court order declaring Save SA march in Pretoria LEGAL. @News24 pic.twitter.com/O8uWu7bhk0
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) April 6, 2017
