Cape Town -
It’s “all systems go” for a protest march to Western Cape Premier Helen Zille’s and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille’s offices on Wednesday, ANC Western Cape secretary Songezo Mjongile says.
The march would be to demand housing and better services, and for an end to evictions, he said on Sunday and added that about 2 000 people would take part in the protest.
Despite not yet having received confirmation from the city on its application to march, Mjongile said they would go ahead.
“We have made an application to the city to march and we don’t expect it to be unsuccessful. As far as I’m concerned, we have met all the requirements. It’s all systems go for the ANC.”
Mjongile said the ANC would transport marchers in from various communities.
“The people affected by issues of poor housing and decent service delivery will get chance to voice their frustration. It’s time things change,” he said.
When asked whether the march was in retaliation to the DA’s planned march to Luthuli House on Tuesday, Mjongile denied the suggestion, saying the demonstration was part of an ongoing petition for the DA-run Western Cape provincial government to take better care of the poor.
“Our application to march came before the news of the DA’s march to Luthuli,” he said.
Zille’s spokesman, Zak Mbhele, said the the DA welcomed the march if it stayed peaceful.
“We will be at the office to receive the memorandum handed over by the ANC,” said Mbhele.
Mbhele said the march was clearly an attempt to garner votes.
Majole denied this, saying: “We are are here to represent the poor.”
Cape Times