KwaDukuza Mayor and ANC regional chairperson Ricardo Mthembu took to Facebook yesterday in opposition to the #SaveSA demonstrations that will be happening across the country on Friday.

Ballito supporters will be meeting on the street outside Virgin Active gym on Ballito Drive at 10am.

He posted: “We must not be provoke (sic) mass action is our game we will find each other on the street no one must cry you started it you must face it we are going to [de]fend the ANC and our president because we know the agenda of the counter-revolutionary forces.”

Attempts to reach Mthembu were unsuccesful.

Meanwhile there is a possibility of a counter demonstration by the ANC.

ANC spokesperson for the Greater KwaDukuza Region, Lucky Makhathini said currently there might be members of the ANC who want to go and defend the president.

However, he said there was nothing formal planned by the ANC at this stage.

“We are still going to have a meeting to discuss whether we need to do something formal or not,” said Makhathini.

The Greater KwaDukuza Region is one of the ANC branches which has given 100% backing to Zuma.

Ward 22 (Salt Rock) councilor Malcolm Hubner said they had not yet received official approval from the municipality for Friday’s demonstration.

“They have merely ‘noted’ our application,” he said.

“We are having a meeting tonight (Wednesday) to discuss all possible eventualities.”

Hubner stressed that the demonstration was not affiliated to any party and that there would be no marching or blocking of traffic.

A spokesperson for the Umhlali SAPS, warrant officer Vinny Pillay told The Courier that they were aware of the possibility that two opposing demonstrations may occur.

“Police will be there to keep the peace.

“We urge all people to remain calm during the demonstration and not to inflame the situation.”

Locals taking part in the #SaveSA protest will gather on the pavement in front of the Virgin Active gym on Ballito Drive (P445).

Participants can wear any clothing they like, DA members will be wearing their blue shirts but there is no particular colour for the demonstration.

“Protest placards can be home-made or downloaded and printed out from sites supporting the national demonstration, such as the Outa website.

The DA has asked people to carpool as parking will be an issue, with people parking where they can find space.

IPSS Medical Rescue’s Paul Herbst said they would be available to assist anyone who is injured, or dehydrated.

The demonstrators are hoping to attract enough protesters to line the pavement from the Virgin Active gym, past the Lifestyle Centre and all the way to the BP.

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

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