March for REAL jobs: President Zuma must rein in his troops

We note reports of thousands of ANC members being bussed in to Central Johannesburg today to form a ‘ring of steel' around Luthuli House. They obviously never got the memo that the DA's ‘March for Six Million REAL Jobs was' postponed following the JMPD's initial prohibition of it.

Following our successful appeal in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court, we have had to re-apply for permission to march. We expect this to be granted and are now planning to march on Wednesday 12 February.

The key battleground in this election is not outside Luthuli House. It is on the issue of jobs and who has the best policies to create them. The ANC is promising 6 million public works placements, whereas the DA is offering 6 million REAL jobs - permanent and sustainable jobs created by the private sector in a growing economy.

We do not mind if the ANC sends a welcoming party to meet us, as long as the DA's right to march peacefully is respected. Two weeks ago, President Zuma has said that there will be no ‘no-go' areas in this election. On Sunday, the President reaffirmed the constitutional principles that all shall have the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket.

We trust that he is able to exercise sufficient leadership to ensure that his own members observe these fundamental democratic rights. He must send out a clear message to his structures that political violence and intimidation will not be tolerated.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, February 4 2014

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