KZN protests: ‘ANC factions shouldn’t undermine rule of law,’ says DA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned the wave of illegal ANC protest action currently taking place across the province of KZN as a result of former president Jacob Zuma’s incarceration.

The party said it cannot be that internal ANC factions undermine the rule of law, infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens of KZN.

It is believed that former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters are responsible for the sporadic protests in the province. From Friday morning, several major roads were closed in KZN namely; the N2, N3 and M7 which is a strategic cargo transit from the Port of Durban towards the inland, including provincial and municipal links.

DA CALLS ON ZIKALALA TO MAINTAIN ORDER IN KZN

DA KZN leader, Francois Rodgers said the ANC has created a monster, which if not controlled, will negatively affect the economy and most importantly lead to job losses.

“This is an ANC problem – not a political problem. Both the Premier and Chairperson of the ANC, Sihle Zikalala, and the Mayor of eThekwini, Thomas Kaunda, amongst others, have recently publicly displayed their support for Jacob Zuma.

“This leads to the question; will they now have the political will to deal with these illegal protests? They are clearly caught between a rock and a hard place. It’s time to put the province ahead of the ANC’s factions.”

Rodgers further said that interestingly, SAPS were very quick to arrest Carl Niehaus in Estcourt for being part of an illegal gathering. Yet during the protests at Nkandla and amid the other unfolding protests, SAPS appear to be non-existent, unwilling and unable to maintain law and order.

Niehaus, an ally of Zuma and suspended MKMVA spokesperson was arrested on live television while addressing the media.

The DA also called on Sihle Zikalala and the ANC leadership in KZN to condemn the pro-Zuma protests and ensure that members of the ANC are called to order. The DA further calls on SAPS to ensure that law and order are maintained, without fear or favour and without any politicization. Nobody is above the law.

“Surely the fall out of Zuma’s incarceration should have been predicated? Surely, SAPS and our security forces should have been on standby? Surely our intelligence agencies were aware of the planned protests particularly when it appears everyone else was?

“Jacob Zuma is now behind bars. His supporters need to accept this and cease infringing on the rights of the people of KZN. If not, they must face the full might of the law.”