Mantashe receives #OccupyLuthuliHouse memorandum
After a tense stand-off between #OccupyLuthuliHouse and MK vets, Gwede Mantashe came out to receive the memorandum.
|||Johannesburg – #OccupyLuthuliHouse members on Monday called on President Jacob Zuma to step down, along with senior ANC members on whom they blamed the poor showing in the local government elections.
ANC member and chairperson of Sefako Makgatho branch Sasabona Manganye, who is founder of #OccupyLuthuliHouse group, made his remarks outside Luthuli House, where his group later handed over a memorandum to party secretary general Gwede Mantashe.
After a tense standoff between #OccupyLuthuliHouse and members of the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) dressed in military camouflage uniforms that lasted more than four hours, Mantashe emerged from Luthuli House to receive the memorandum.
However, the MK veterans pushed and shoved as they tried to prevent the #OccupyLuthuliHouse members from handing over their memorandum to Mantashe.
MK not letting the SG through to collect the letter of memorandum from #OccupyLuthuliHouse #DefendLuthuliHouse @IOL pic.twitter.com/CV2IvGC6aP
— Rumana Akoob (@RumanaAkoob) September 5, 2016
Clearly unimpressed, Mantashe warned the MK veterans not to give “hooligans publicity” and he also warned against stifling dissenting voices.
“Don’t do something that will give them publicity,” said Mantashe. “There must be no bloodshed you have done what you were supposed to do (defend the ANC)”
Earlier Manganye of #OccupyLuthuliHouse said apart from the disappointing election results, the “current ANC” was not what it is supposed to be. He said the leadership does not subscribe to the core values of the party.
“We are fighting for the ANC to be what it is supposed to be not something foreign,” said Manganye.
In the streets near Luthuli House ANC members in yellow party T-shirts were vociferous in their intent to “defend the ANC”. The MK vets formed a human shield at the entrance.
There was also a visible police presence, but the pushing and shoving continued.
Flanked by MK veterans Mantashe received the memorandum from the disgruntled ANC members.
Cecillia Lindiwe, a member of MK and ANC, said they were ready to fight the #OccupyLuthuliHouse movement if needs be.
She said supporters of the ANC together with those for Zuma’s removal must wait for him to complete his term.
“We have to protect the ANC, but also let Zuma finish his term as agreed and voted for by the ANC” she said.
The ANC has a meeting every Monday at Luthuli House, but Zuma was away in China attending the G20 Summit. Deputy ANC president and acting State President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the meeting.
#OccupyLuthuliHouse @iol pic.twitter.com/Tjs0RQYwky
— Alex Sweet Patrick (@IamAlexSweet) September 5, 2016
Earlier traffic was interrupted in Joburg CBD as throngs of ANC supporters moved through the inner city during the #OccupyLuthuliHouse protest.
The opposing groups were separated by a line of police officers who lined up Simmonds Street near the Beyers Naude Square, as they sang struggle and derogatory songs about each other.
Soon after ANC supporters were seen running amok in the Joburg CBD, singing and dancing, as the police played catch up and tried to block them from advancing further into the CBD.
African News Agency and The Star