Cape Town - Contrary to threats that Western Cape Premier Helen Zille would be attacked if she visited the province’s townships, she was “warmly welcomed” by residents during visits on Saturday.
This follows comments made by poo protest leader Andile Lili in the aftermath of the riots in Cape Town’s CBD on Wednesday, where he declared “open season” on Zille.
“Once she goes to Khayelitsha we will attack Helen Zille. Once she goes to Kraaifontein we will attack Helen Zille. We don’t want to see white Helen Zille because she is racist. We hate her as she hates us as black and coloured communities.”
The threats do not seem to have shaken Zille, who visited “three communities” in Crossroads on Saturday.
She said the police conducted a security assessment of places she visited and that she trusted in their competence to manage her safety.
The police have been criticised for their handling of Wednesday’s protests, which quickly turned into riots as a protesters looted stalls in St George’s Mall.
Lili and fellow poo protest leader Loyiso Nkohla are now planning another march on November 29 on the city’s Grand Parade.
According to Nkohla, there will be more than 250 000 people taking part, eclipsing the 3 500 who marched to the Provincial Legislature building on Wednesday.
After a three-hour meeting on the protest on Sunday, Nkohla said he could not give any more details on the planned strike.
These would be revealed during a press briefing at the Site C Blue Hall in Khayelitsha at 11am on Monday.
It was reported over the weekend, that part of the protest would be a three-day hunger strike.
Council speaker Dirk Smit said he had not yet seen an application for the protest, and warned against going ahead with an illegal strike.
Meanwhile, two protesters caught looting last week are set to appear in court on Friday.
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said they faced charges of possession of stolen property and malicious damage to property.