#AntiZumaMarches: Security tightened at Union Buildings

Protesters continue to gather at Church Square ahead of their march to the Union Buildings. Picture: MojoIOL

Protesters continue to gather at Church Square ahead of their march to the Union Buildings. Picture: MojoIOL

Published Apr 7, 2017

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Pretoria – Security has been tightened at the Union Buildings ahead of the anti-Zuma March scheduled to start from Church Square at midday.

Police have used the barbed wire to cordon off the fence surrounding the Union Buildings.

Two police nyalas are seen driving around the vicinity and a helicopter hovering in the air with police keeping an eye on the situation.

Meanwhile, protesters in what has been branded the "People' March" by civil organisations under the banner #SaveSA continue to gather at the Church Square, the departure point.

Clad in the green T-shirts written #SaveSA, they are holding up placards bearing messages such as "Leadership is a privilege, hold with honour; Zuma must go, and Hand off our Treasury".

Some police are stationed on the corner Nelson Mandela Drive and Madiba Street. Marchers will use Madiba Street to head to the Union Buildings.

Addressing the crowd, Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota spoke about the importance of change and said it is important to have a government of men and women who do not bring the country down. "Stand up and save SA," said Lekota.

"The people united, can never be defeated," chanted the crowd.

Chris Vick, member of #Save South Africa, said the Chief Magistrate of Pretoria last night gave them a go-ahead to embark on a march following an urgent application. The Tshwane Metro Police Department had to refuse them a permission to march.

"The march is on! This is a safe, legal protest, with the approval of the authorities," he said.

Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga gave marchers his blessings. He tweeted on Thursday:"We haven't denied permission for tomorrow's march. Someone who ill-disciplined is busy playing politics using their admin position."

The march will take place on the back of the cabinet reshuffle decision by President Jacob Zuma, resulting in the former finance minister Pravin Gordan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas being fired.

Gordan was replaced with former home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba.

Jonas has since resigned as the member of Parliament.

Zuma's cabinet reshuffle decision has been cited as having been at the centre of the announcement by the rating agency Standard&Poor's to relegate South Africa's credit rating to junk status.

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Pretoria News

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