Zuma a no-show at Sonop

President Jacob Zuma addresses a special media briefing on the economy, especially on developments in the mining sector at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 30 May 2013.

President Jacob Zuma addresses a special media briefing on the economy, especially on developments in the mining sector at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. 30 May 2013.

Published Apr 29, 2014

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Brits - ANC president Jacob Zuma failed to arrive in Sonop near Brits on Tuesday.

Zuma was scheduled to speak in Sonop after his visit to Wonderkop was cancelled.

North West provincial chairman Supra Mahumapelo said the executive committee decided to cancel the visit due to the violence in the Marikana area.

“We do not want to give anarchists a platform to advance their agenda,” Mahumapelo said earlier.

Despite Zuma's non-arrival, the mood was electric when ANC leaders arrived. The crowd sang and waved flags to welcome the delegation led by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa, who spoke on behalf of Zuma.

Mthethwa told the crowd that Zuma was engaged in a meeting with religious and traditional leaders.

“The president is engaged in a meeting here in town... We thought we should not keep you waiting.”

He said the ANC would win the May 7 election with an overwhelming majority.

“North West is not for sale. Those who think they can intimidate people to vote: we are here as the security cluster to protect the voters.”

He told the crowd that Ronnie Kasrils, who led the campaign encouraging voters to spoil their ballot papers, had not renewed his ANC membership since 2007.

“He is no longer an ANC member. Do not listen to bitter people, go and vote.”

He said he would be in the area for the coming days to ensure the safety of the voters.

Resident Oupa Meso, 30, from Regorogile informal settlement in Sonop, said he hoped Zuma would address the problem of sanitation, roads and electricity.

“I need a proper house with water and electricity,” he said.

Anna Meje, 56, said she was disappointed that she could not speak to Zuma.

“I wanted to tell him about my housing problem. I am living in a shack.” She said she would vote ANC as there was no alternative to it.

Welhimanah Baloyi from De Kroon said she was angry that she could not tell Zuma about problem affecting her.

“We do not have roads in De Kroon. Women are raped in their houses because there is no electricity.”

After Mthetwa had spoken, the crowd sang struggle songs near the road waiting for their transport.

They were bused in from Bapong, Majakaneng and Mothotlung.

Sapa

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