Joburg women try to interrupt DA gathering

A group of women tried to interrupt a Democratic Alliance gathering near Noord Street in the Johannesburg CBD on Tuesday.

"We don't want you here Zille. Go away. Viva ANC, viva!" they shouted at the tops of their voices from the balcony of a flat near Noord Street.

They did so as DA Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane was preparing to address a group of supporters from Park Station who had been singing and chanting with party leader Helen Zille.

The women were ignored and eventually stopped hurling insults and opted to watch while Maimane and Zille addressed their supporters.

Maimane urged the supporters to fire the corrupt government and elect a clean one.

"Tomorrow we are firing them. We are going to hire a government that works, especially in Johannesburg."

Zille said this year's election would be the most important since the first democratic election in 1994.

She said more black people were beginning to "love" her party.

"Previously when we campaigned in the black communities they used to tell us go away, but now things have changed. Everywhere we go people love the DA."

She said her supporters should use Wednesday's voting opportunity to elect a government that would bring change.

"Corrupt government makes poor people poorer."

Earlier, Zille and Maimane travelled in a train from Naledi, Soweto, to Park Station where they distributed DA pamphlets and stickers.

A group of supporters welcomed them with praise songs and ululation as they emerged from the station.

Most supporters wore DA T-shirts and sang in the busy streets near the station. Some carried DA posters bearing Zille's face or a "Vote for Jobs" slogan.

Hawkers moved their stands to make way for the crowd moving towards Noord Street.