Thousands of citizens are expected to take to the streets over the next few days to protest against President Jacob Zuma, following his decision to reshuffle his Cabinet.
On Friday, the Democratic Alliance will hold a massive “march for change” to Luthuli House in Joburg amid other planned protests nationwide, while a “national day of action” will take place in Pretoria next week Wednesday.
The decision for a joint mass action at the Union Buildings next week was made by opposition party leaders, who met in Joburg yesterday to discuss the matter.
They included General Bantu Holomisa (UDM), Mmusi Maimane (DA), Mosiuoa Lekota (Cope), Dali Mpofu (EFF), ACDP (Rev Kenneth Meshoe) and Albert Mncwango (IFP).
DA leader Maimane said the meeting had been called against the “hostile takeover of Treasury" and the “reckless” reshuffling by Zuma.
The president axed five ministers and deputies on Thursday, including Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas.
They were replaced by former Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and ANC MP Sfiso Buthelezi.
The rand immediately weakened, while ratings agency Standard & Poor's yesterday downgraded SA to junk status.
Maimane said the
opposition leaders discussed a number of issues, including the need for a summit to deliberate on the country’s state of affairs. The date was yet to be set.
Zuma, who is increasingly being isolated by his comrades over the reshuffling of his Cabinet, “cannot hold South Africa to ransom”, said Maimane, adding all the political parties supported the planned motion of no confidence against Zuma.
However, labour federations have rejected calls for workers to stay away from work on Friday, after a campaign surfaced on social media at the weekend.
“Do not go to work, or to school or do anything unless you’re taking to the streets in protest,” read part of the campaign’s notice circulated on social media.
Cosatu spokesman Sizwe Pamla said they did not support the Friday mass protests.
“We are not comfortable with selective outrage. The same people never come to support us when we raise issues affecting the workers and the poor,” Pamla said.
Zwelinzima Vavi, of the SA Federation of Trade Unions, said they would not be part of the Friday shutdown.
“Nobody knows who made the call on workers to stay away from work. We don’t know whether it is agent provocateurs, so there will be no shutdown,” he said.
“We are not part of it. It won’t happen.”