Wet weather fails to deter protesters as calls intensify for JZ to step down

While President Jacob Zuma was preparing for his birthday party yesterday afternoon, South Africans gathered for a show of force when tens of thousands of people marched to the Union Buildings, calling for the president to step down.

The peaceful protest saw a sea of citizens in red and blue rallying across the capital city with the same message: “Zuma must fall!”

“We are not going to tolerate any misbehaviour. We want you to serve one purpose and one purpose only; that Zuma must step down. If you are going to engage in illegal activities, you are going to destroy our message. Let the message be clear today, that Zuma is no longer a credible president of South Africa,” said Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.

Heavy rainfall in the morning failed to stop South Africans from trickling in, with EFF marchers singing and dancing around the square under overcast skies.

Congress of the People (Cope) leader Mosiuoa Lekota said the wet weather could not hinder marchers from getting their message across. “The people of South Africa are not made of sugar or salt. They won’t melt. I think the issues they are thinking about are of such importance, I don’t think they will walk away. Experience has taught me that when the people want something, nothing will stop them,” he said. This was the second march calling for Zuma to resign since he sacked five ministers and made 15 changes to the Cabinet, resulting in rating agencies downgrading the country’s credit rating to junk status.

The president said on Monday that last week’s anti-Zuma march was an indication of racism towards black people.

But opposition parties slammed his statement, with Malema saying race was not important as they were gathered to defend the “future of our children”.

“If Zuma considers us racist for marching against them, then call us racist. ANC members are misleading you by saying this is an issue of white people, but this issue is going to hit the pockets of the poorest of the poor in shacks and in the streets,” said Malema.

Opposition parties have approached the Constitutional Court to allow for a secret ballot when a motion of no confidence is heard before the National Assembly, scheduled for Tuesday, but postponed.

Gauteng DA leader John Moodey challenged the Gauteng ANC to demand MPs vote out Zuma.

“ANC MPs must put SA first. That is their challenge. To the provincial leadership of the ANC, you have publicly stated Zuma must go. I am challenging you to demand of your MPs to vote with opposition parties and let’s get rid of him,” said Moodey.

If the people want something, nothing will stop them.