Plans to protest against cabinet reshuffle
Civil society and labour leaders are calling on South Africans to gather at Church Square, opposite National Treasury, in Pretoria this morning in protest against President Jacob Zuma's cabinet reshuffle.
President Zuma reshuffled 10 ministers and 10 deputy minister last night.
There is widespread unhappiness following the axing of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy minister, Mcebisi Jonas.
South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) leader, Zwelinzima Vavi says they are outraged.
"We appeal to all South Africans to flood the streets of Pretoria and symbolically occupy Treasury in the strongest possible protest," says Vavi.
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Save South Africa's Lawson Naidoo says they are also calling on South Africans to express their anger by taking to the streets.
"We need to occupy and defend the National Treasury in Pretoria. We are calling on people to gather there from 10.00am this morning. This is to demonstrate that we will not allow state coffers to be handed over to Jacob Zuma's looters," says Naidoo.
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Nelson Mandela's personal assistant Zelda La Grange says she will also be at Church Square.
"All we should worry about is showing up in our numbers and showing President Jacob Zuma that we do not agree with what he did during the night," says La Grange.
This is how South Africans reacted to the news:
We need to unite like one person and march. This is the ordinary person's chance to change history. Don't mess it up with indv policies.
— Zelda la Grange ©™✌ (@ZeldalaGrangeSA) March 30, 2017
#SAFTU calls on workers and all South Africans to assembly at Church Square and #OccupyTreasury its a peaceful demonstration- bring SA flag
— Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) March 30, 2017
Ready for the streets. #Zuma we are going to build a #resistance movement to ensure you & your criminal gang end up in jail. @SAPresident
— Zackie Achmat (@ZackieAchmat) March 30, 2017
JZuma creating uncertainty for our nation.He must go, so we focus on creating work for our people.he is holding the future hostage.#change19
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 30, 2017
No! This is not a #cabinetreshuffle! This is a coup d'etat! It's a direct takeover of government by a mafia with no reason to hide anymore!
— IG: @MbuyiseniNdlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) March 31, 2017