‘Zuma booing is democracy at play’

LABOUR Deputy Minister Phathekile Holomisa said yesterday the booing of President Jacob Zuma and other senior ANC leaders during May Day rallies on Monday was an expression of democracy.

Holomisa also said the leaders needed to heed what the workers were saying to them when they booed Zuma, Speaker Baleka Mbete, ANC KZN chairperson Sihle Zikalala and ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte at separate rallies.

During a debate celebrating 20 years of workers’ rights in the National Council of Provinces, Holomisa said that in a democracy there would be instances when opinions differed. “Instead of lamenting what happened yesterday when the president and other leaders were unable to deliver their addresses, we should be applauding that we are in such a democracy. When workers are not happy with what their leaders are doing, they are able to express themselves.” “These are gains we need to celebrate, instead of using them as a sign (that) all is wrong and that there is a state of chaos,” he said. Earlier, the DA’s Jacques Julius had said Monday’s May Day event was a celebration of booing, and that the workers were not silent about Zuma. “Your leaders and the president were booed by the workers. How can that be healthy tension?” he said. During the debate opposition parties said there was nothing to celebrate as there was a high rate of unemployment, among others, while MPS from the ruling party highlighted achievements with regard to service delivery.