22 Jul 2021 | 08:23 AM UTC
South Africa: Protests in support of former President Jacob Zuma planned in KwaZulu-Natal Province, July 22 and 23
Supporters of former President Jacob Zuma to protest in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, July 22 and 23. Gathering in Nkandla, July 22.
Event
Supporters of former President Jacob Zuma plan to protest in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province, July 22 and 23. On July 22, a motorcade protest has been scheduled from African National Congress (ANC) branches in the province to the ANC Provincial Office in Durban. The start time is not clear. On July 23, supporters of the former president plan to meet at Durban City Hall to protest against vigilante attacks in Phoenix during recent civil unrest in the province earlier in July. The starting time is not clear. It is also not clear if protesters will march or drive from Durban City Hall to other locations. Media reports citing the ANC provincial office in KZN indicate that the party has not sanctioned the protests but that the ANC-run eThekwini Municipality has reportedly authorized the gatherings. Hundreds of people may attend the gatherings.
In a separate development, Zuma has been granted a one-day leave of absence from incarceration to attend his brother's funeral at Nkandla, July 22.
Security forces will almost certainly deploy to monitor protests and manage gatherings. Additional patrols and checkpoints are likely in all impact areas. Protesters July 22 and 23 may proceed along major arterial routes, including the N2 and N3 highways. They may attempt to block traffic at times. Large numbers of Zuma supporters may also drive to and increase congestion on routes to and from Nkandla through July 22. Clashes between protesters and the security forces are possible if gathering participants engage in acts of public violence or if they ignore police orders to disperse. Should participants in the July 23 protest attempt to march to or gather in Phoenix, located north of Durban, the potential for violence will increase.
Advice
Exercise caution on all major routes near Durban and Nkandla through July 23. Avoid all protests as a standard precaution. Heed the directives of the security forces. Do not attempt to drive through protester roadblocks. Wait for the police to clear any blockages. Plan for road travel delays.
Resources
ECR Traffic (Twitter)