Protests call for Zuma to leave or be removed

THOUSANDS of protesters dispersed peacefully from the Cape Town CBD yesterday, but not before making their voices heard.

The protesters, made up of people from all walks of life, different organisations and political formations, and even die-hard ANC supporters, called on President Jacob Zuma to step down, or be removed from office.

People took to the streets and marched from Keizersgracht, the popular meeting place for Cape Town marches, to the gates of Parliament where they were met by thousands more.

The number of South African flags waved in the air rivalled that of patriots attending a Bafana Bafana soccer game. Many also created interesting posters – from just a few words scribbled on a page, to a cardboard cut-out reading “Phuma Zuma”.

“Hands off Treasury” read a placard held up by a protester in Plein Street, referring to Zuma’s axing of Pravin Gordhan and Mcebisi Jonas at the helm of the finance ministry last week in a cabinet reshuffle that has firmed calls for him to quit.

“We want a president who cares about Africans and Zuma does not,” said Khayalethu Tyalasha from Maitland, who wore a black T-shirt with the slogan “Zuma must fall”.

Protesters from the EFF held up a placard bearing the face of Atul Gupta, with the words below “Not my president”.

One of the men carrying the placard, EFF member Tlhabanelo Diholo, said: “We are here to say no to kleptocracy and constitutional delinquency.”

Terence Quma from Azapo said he was frustrated by seeing people live in poverty while the president and his friends raked in millions.

“Zuma must do all of us in the country a favour by stepping down.

“We cannot be captured and be sold as a country to a foreign family from India. South Africa belongs to South Africans,” he said.

A handful of pro-Zuma supporters, wearing ANC T-shirts, made their way to Parliament, chanting “Zuma must rise”, but their chants were drowned out by the thousands who shouted “Zuma must go”. – ANA