DA ‘will not march’ on Cosatu House

THE DA will not be allowed to march near Cosatu’s headquarters in Johannesburg today.

“A security assessment was done and it was decided that the route would be changed so that speeches are done at a neutral venue,” Johannesburg Metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said late yesterday. “They won’t be allowed near Cosatu House.”

Minnaar said around 3 000 marchers were expected to converge at Beyers Naude Square.

The march would start at 11am and proceed to President, Rissik, Jeppe, Sauer, Burger, Jorissen, Melle and Simmonds streets.

It would end on the lawns of the Johannesburg Civic Theatre.

The DA planned to march over job losses, spokeswoman Kelly Miller said earlier.

“The march is to protest against the trade [union] federation’s continued opposition to the youth wage subsidy, a policy that could create an estimated 423 000 jobs for young, unemployed South Africans,” she said.

Miller said Cosatu had become the key stumbling block to job creation.

DA leader Helen Zille, DA youth leader Makashule Gana, the party’s parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko and its national spokesman Mmusi Maimane would lead the march.

Earlier, the ANC urged the opposition not to march, saying it would “heighten unnecessary tension”.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the decision to march was “ill-informed and opportunist Meanwhile, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA called on all workers to help it defend Cosatu against the DA. — Sapa