Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane is taking flak on social media for wearing a bullet-proof vest during anti-Jacob Zuma marches in Johannesburg on Friday.
Pictures of the vest‚ which he wore underneath his T-shirt‚ surfaced on social media and were quickly shared‚ igniting a fierce debate.
DA national spokesman Phumzile van Damme confirmed that Maimane had received threats‚ but did not want to be drawn into details about them.
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She told TMG Digital that the vest was part of “security assessments and purely a precautionary measure”.
“Yes‚ the DA leader had a bullet-proof vest on. It was a precautionary measure given security analysis provided‚” she said on Friday afternoon.
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Van Damme said the DA march was peaceful and “a beautiful expression of unity in diversity. We are proud of South Africans today”.
In response to the questions about the vest‚ Maimane told reporters outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria: “I am the father of two kids‚ a husband to one wife. It would be irresponsible of me knowing that people have threatened my life‚ not to take all the precautions I can take.”
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It is the first time threats against Maimane have been serious enough to warrant the wearing of a vest. See his explain his reason for wearing the vest here.
Armandt van Helden‚ commenting on Twitter‚ likened the DA leader to a coward for wearing body armour.
Others pointed out that this was a lot cheaper than having 10 armed guards.
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