ANC says it is not responsible for DA march changes

The ANC has dismissed accusations by the DA that it was forced to change its March for Change route due to violent threats from governing party members.

The march will now begin at Westgate Transport Hub at 10am on Friday and will end at Mary Fitzgerald Square and will not navigate towards Luthuli House‚ as previously planned.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane said this week that the party was informed that police would be unable to protect their marchers and ensure their safety from threats of violence from the ANC.

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He said numerous threats of violence have been received from the ANC’s Youth League‚ as well as certain branches within the ANC.

The ANC Youth League’s leadership‚ at a rally in Germiston on Tuesday night‚ repeated threats that it would use whatever weapons at its disposal to ward off DA protesters.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa denied this.

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“I don’t like people who are sensational. Ask the DA why did they change. It’s not true that it’s public statements. It’s a security meeting that said (change route). It’s a different thing what he says in public‚ very sensational. It’s another thing what JOC (Joint Operations Committee) and JMPD have told us‚” said Kodwa.

He said the ANC was not the one organising the march.

“It’s not true that we have anything to do with the march and it’s not true that the march was changed because of safety reasons or because of the statements of any structure of the ANC‚” said Kodwa.

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Maimane said the March for Change has one clear goal‚ which is to “unite South Africans across race‚ culture‚ religion and political affiliation in calling for Jacob Zuma to be removed as President”.

“We once again call on all South Africans from all political persuasions to join us as we march through the streets of Johannesburg this Friday. I have this week extended invitations to members of civil society and the business community to join us‚” Maimane said.