Civil society to march against president

Activists, faith bodies unite ahead of no-confidence vote in Zuma

CIVIL society activists will be taking to the streets on Monday, a day before the vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma is set to take place in Parliament, in a bid to show their displeasure at his presidency.

The march is also a show of solidarity against “the corruption taking hold of South Africa”, and a commitment to a united South Africa.

At a press briefing yesterday,#UniteBehind said it expected about 20 000 people at the march. Speakers at the briefing yesterday included interfaith communities and activists.

Among those against the Zuma presidency is Imam Rashied Omar from the Claremont Main Road Mosque.

“On behalf of the interfaith movement in the province, we resolved to join the people’s march on Monday led by various civil society groups under the banner of #UniteBehind. The purpose of the people’s march is to call MPs, especially members of the ANC, to vote with their consciences on Tuesday,” Omar said.

Omar stressed that #UnitedBehind’s goal should not be limited to the election of a new government.

“We should continue the struggle for economic and social justice for all, and therefore support the struggle for service delivery and land distribution and resist the gentrification of our neighbourhoods, protect our farmland from urban development and support the fight for free quality and decolonised education,” Omar said.

Father Michael Lapsley of the South African Council of Churches said they no longer accepted the moral legitimacy of the government.

“The state capture was echoed again in the Gupta leak documents. It’s a national tragedy in its own,” Lapsley said.

Social activist Zackie Achmat said the march transcended political parties. “This is a people’s march. Our country cannot afford another day of Jacob Zuma,” he said.

Zuma is expected in the National Assembly on Tuesday where the eighth motion of no confidence in him will be debated.

The vote of no confidence comes after Zuma’s unpopular cabinet reshuffle earlier in the year.

PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE UNITED: The dean of St George’s Cathedral, Michael Weeder, Phumeza Mlungwana of the Social Justice Coalition and others during a press briefing.