Maphatsoe might be charged over Joburg march
Union says MK vets not allowed arms
The SA National Defence Union is contemplating criminally charging Defence Deputy Minister Kebby Maphatsoe.
The union‚ which will announce its decision today after a meeting of its national executive committee‚ is concerned about Maphatsoe and his involvement in the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association’s intention to defend the ANC’s offices in Johannesburg.
Hundreds of MK Vets are set to descend on Johannesburg on Friday in response to thousands of protesters who will gather in the city to call for the ousting of President Jacob Zuma. Maphatsoe is the MK Vets’ national chairman.
Anti-Zuma protesters originally planned to march on Luthuli House until police informed them their safety could not be guaranteed. The march is now scheduled to end in Mary Fitzgerald Square.
Countrywide protests are set for Friday as pressure mounts on Zuma over his axing of former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas.
The MK’s KwaZulu-Natal branch has said they will send at least 600 “battle-ready” members to Luthuli House to defend and protect Zuma.
Maphatsoe has said they will defend Zuma and Luthuli House against anyone who marches on the ANC.
He has‚ however‚ said they will not be armed and there will be no violence from MK members.
Sandu general-secretary‚ Pikkie Greeff confirmed a debate on whether to criminally charge Maphatsoe or not would be held when the union’s NEC met.
“As far as we are concerned, if MK vets assemble outside Luthuli House they will be subjected to the Gatherings Act‚ and if any of them are armed‚ they will be in violation of this act.
“In terms of intimidation and threats of violence, this also means that those ‘defending’ Luthuli House will also be in violation of the act.”
He said the gathering of the defenders would also see them in violation of the act regulating security guards.
“Every security guard has to be registered. If these ‘defenders’ act as security guards and are not registered, that is another law that they will be breaking.”